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WAR STORIES 
FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 



WAR STORIES 

FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

By 
JOHN W. FOSTER 




WASHINGTON, D.C. 
1918 

PRINTED FOR PRIVATE CIRCULATION 

The Riverside Press Cambridge 



.rn' 



COPYRIGHT, I918, BY JOHN FOSTER DULLES 
ALL KIGHTS KESERVBO 



JAN -6 jyjj 

©CI.A525038 



PREFACE 

As they were growing up, I was frequently importuned by my 
grandchildren to tell them of my experiences in the Civil War 
for the Union; and now as the great-grandchildren are coming 
on, their parents are asking that these experiences be put in 
some permanent form, as their children may never have the 
opportunity to hear the narrative from me. I naturally shrink 
from giving general publicity to my personal experiences, es- 
pecially as the field has been already so fully covered by com- 
rades in arms; but I have consented to prepare such a narrative 
on condition that its circulation be confined to the family 
circles. 

In preparing the narrative I have not thought it wise to trust 
to my memory of events which happened more than half a 
century ago; and fortunately I have at hand my many letters 
written to my wife, giving in detail my experiences during my 
entire service in the army, and while they are in some respects 
too intimate and confidential for general publicity, they have 
the merit of freedom from studied preparation and constitute 
an account of events as- they occurred. 

In this preparation I have indulged the hope that through 
it our children of this and coming generations may be inspired 
by a greater devotion to the American Union, for which their 
forefathers hazarded their lives and endured the hardships of 
war. 

John W. Foster 



CONTENTS 

I. Introduction i 

II. The Missouri Campaign 5 

III. The Battle of Fort Donelson 37 

IV. The Battle of Shiloh 52 

V. On to Corinth and Memphis 81 

VI. Guerrilla Warfare in Kentucky 95 

VII. The East Tennessee Campaign 119 

VIII. With the Hundred Days Men 161 

Appendix 179 



WAR STORIES 
FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

I 

INTRODUCTION 

After the inauguration of President Lincoln, March 4, 1861, 
much discussion followed in Washington and in the North, 
and plans were proposed respecting peaceable adjustment 
of the troubles occasioned by the secession of the Southern 
States from the Union. But the first hostile gun fired at 
Fort Sumter and the National flag, on April 12, put an end 
to all peace proposals, and solidified the North in favor of 
restoring and preserving the Union by force of arms. As 
one of our statesmen of that day expressed it, yesterday 
there had been difference of opinion, to-day there was unity. 

When two days afterwards the President's call for seventy- 
five thousand volunteers for three months' service was is- 
sued, my first impulse was to respond to that call ; but be- 
fore any movement for enlistments could be made in our 
locality the quota of Indiana was filled to overflowing. I 
was content for several reasons to await the progress of 
events. 

I cherished no desire for military glory, and distrusted my 
special fitness for the life of a soldier. In my college days I 
had contracted a horror of war and regarded it as the most 



2 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

terrible and futile of human follies. Shortly before my 
graduation I had delivered a public address for my literary 
society on peace and war, using as its title Charles Sumner's 
well-known oration — "The True Grandeur of Nations." I 
regarded myself as a peace man. 

I had only recently entered upon the practice of my pro- 
fession, and was ambitious to make a reputation as a lawyer. 
But, most serious of all, I had just established a modest 
home with a young wife and our first-born babe of less than 
a year old. It would be a terrible strain upon my affections 
and hopes to break these dearest of all ties for a life in the 
military service. 

I, with the great body of the people of the North, enter- 
tained the hope that the seventy-five thousand men, who 
constituted the army so quickly formed, would prove suffi- 
cient for the reestablisment of the Federal Union. But the 
battle of Bull Run, July 21, dispelled that delusion, and the 
President's call for three hundred thousand afterwards in- 
creased to five hundred thousand volunteers for three years' 
service indicated that a long and bloody war was in prospect. 
I resolved no longer to delay my entrance into that service. 

Two days after that battle I wrote my wife as follows: — 

"I intended to have written you a long letter last night in 
reply to your good one received yesterday afternoon, but I 
had no heart to write. The terrible and disastrous calamity 
to our army has made me sick. A thousand times rather 
would I have given my life and left you a widow and my 
darling child fatherless than that this defeat should have 



INTRODUCTION 3 

happened. I think I shall go to Indianapolis to-morrow to 
urge my immediate appointment in our new regiment. I 
want to help retrieve our lost fortune. I have no fear of our 
ultimate triumph." 

When the President's second call for volunteers was 
issued, a movement was at once set on foot to organize a 
regiment at Evansville, my home, and the Governor of the 
State had intimated his intention to appoint me major of 
this new regiment. On August 9 my appointment as major 
was made. The next day I sent my wife's brother, Alexander, 
to Glendale, near Cincinnati, where she was visiting her 
mother, to notify her of the event and give her details of the 
situation. He bore her a letter in which I wrote: "Zan 
[Alexander] will explain the cause of his coming. I want to 
be with my wife as much as I can before I go, so you must 
hurry home as fast as you can. . . . While you are a loving 
wife, remember to be a brave woman and your husband will 
love you the more." 

I had gone to Glendale some time before to talk over with 
my wife my intention to enter the army, and she had given 
her consent; but when the time came for me to take the final 
step she seemed to hesitate and draw back. It was a terrible 
trial to contemplate, her solitary lot with her little babe and 
I away in the army. In answer to her letter I wrote: "You 
seem in your last letter to be about to withdraw your con- 
sent to let me go. That was the special reason of my late 
visit to Glendale, and I thought it was agreed. I have a very 
honorable and, to me, very flattering position, and in some 



4 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

degree removed from danger; and of course I shall, for the 
love I bear my wife and child, be as careful of my life as my 
duty will permit. The President has called for four hundred 
thousand men, and of that number it is my duty to be one. 
I regard this as important a war as that of the Revolution, 
the issue is the life and maintenance of the Government, and 
I would be ashamed of myself, and my children should be 
ashamed of me in after years, if I declined so honorable a 
position as that tendered me. Be of good courage." 

In response to my call she came at once to Evansville, and 
soon entered into the spirit of my work in organizing and 
outfitting the regiment, and, as will be seen later in these 
pages, she remained to the close of my service my faithful 
and devoted supporter. 



II 

THE MISSOURI CAMPAIGN 

The organization at Evansville became the Twenty-fifth 
Indiana Infantry Regiment of Volunteers. On August 22, 
thirteen days after its official staff was appointed, the regi- 
ment was ordered to St. Louis, Missouri. It was a notable 
farewell the citizens of Evansville and the surrounding coun- 
try gave the regiment on its departure. The deportment of 
my wife I refer to in one of my first letters to her from St. 
Louis. I copy it at some length because it reflects the senti- 
ments of hundreds of thousands of other soldiers : — 

"I felt proud of you as my wife and loved you the more 
for the manner in which you acted on the departure of our 
regiment from Evansville. While I know that no wife loves 
her husband more than you do me, yet you could let me go 
off, for how long you know not, to brave the dangers of the 
battlefield, because I thought it my duty, without a murmur 
or reproach or entreaty. And now that I am away, I hope 
you will be the true woman still. You know that our separa- 
tion is not harder for you to bear, surrounded by home and 
all its comforts, your darling child and dear mother, than it 
is for me deprived of all these. You must be hopeful and 
cheerful. I am here because duty prompts me, and you 
would be ashamed of me if I were not here. 

"I will try to do all I can to preserve my health and so 



6 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

far protect myself from dangers as my duty and honor will 
permit. You must remember that there are tens of thou- 
sands of wives who bear the same lot as you do. It would 
make me very unhappy to know that you were disheartened 
and lamenting my absence and exposure to danger; and, on 
the contrary, it would lighten my trials to know that you 
were bearing it like a brave, true-hearted woman. I know 
you are my devoted wife, and I know you will act your part 
nobly." 

Our regiment was ordered to St. Louis because the State 
of Missouri was in a critical condition and in danger of being 
swept onto the side of the rebellion. St. Louis had been 
placed on the side of the Union by the daring and prompt- 
ness of Frank P. Blair and General Lyon, the commander of 
the arsenal and barracks, in the seizure of the rebel Camp 
Jackson, and dispersion of the State Guards stationed in the 
city. But before our arrival the Union forces had met with a 
disastrous repulse at Wilson Creek, and General Lyon killed, 
one of the most promising of the Union generals. Soon after 
we reached St. Louis, the Confederate General Price cap- 
tured Lexington, took the entire Union force prisoners, and 
was overrunning the greater portion of the State. General 
Fremont had been assigned to the command of the Depart- 
ment, and troops were being rushed forward to enable him 
to clear the State of rebels. 

The Twenty-fifth Indiana remained at Benton Barracks^ 
St. Louis, for three weeks, while Fremont was organizing his 
army to drive General Price and his forces out of the State. 



THE MISSOURI CAMPAIGN 7 

How we occupied our time is in part shown by my letters. 
James C. Veatch, the colonel of our regiment, was appointed 
largely because of the service he had rendered in the cam- 
paign for the election of Lincoln, but it proved a good ap- 
pointment. The lieutenant-colonel, William H. Morgan, had 
seen some service with the three months' volunteers and as 
a member of a military company had acquired some knowl- 
edge of drill and tactics. He was the only person in our regi- 
ment of 1047 officers and men who knew anything about 
military affairs. 

After being in camp at Benton Barracks a few days, I 
wrote : — 

"Our colonel is doing all he can for the comfort and con- 
venience of his men. Ever since we arrived, he has been stir- 
ring up headquarters in our behalf. In a day or two he will 
have us paid off, which will be decidedly acceptable; and is 
now bent on having us supplied with good guns before we 
leave here, and though good guns are scarce here, he thinks 
he will succeed. 

" Colonel Morgan is invaluable as a drill and camp officer. 
He devotes three hours each day to the instruction of the 
officers, and two hours to battalion drill, besides his other 
duties. He has the officers recite to him daily from the Book 
of Tactics. Our regiment is under excellent discipline and 
very orderly, and I am satisfied If they will give us a few 
weeks to drill and good guns, that we will do honor to the 
State and country." 

In the same letter to my wife, I wrote of myself: — 



8 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

"Although the place of major may be one of ease, if an 
ofRcer desires he may keep himself busy and be quite useful 
in regulating the camp, seeing that the officers and men do 
their duty, looking after the wants of the men, assisting in 
battalion drill, etc. And I am the more busy, because in 
addition I devote from two to five hours in study and recita- 
tion of the tactics. I accepted the position in our regiment, 
not as a sinecure, but because I thought my country needed 
my services, and I have resolved to leave nothing undone 
that will fit me to discharge my duties properly, and so pre- 
pare myself that if it should ever happen that the lives of a 
thousand men should be placed in my keeping, I might, as 
Dr. Daily would say, be competent for an emergency. So 
that now the time does not hang heavily on my hands. Per- 
sonally I am getting along very well in camp." 

A few days later I report that the regiment has received 
its first payment, and I make a remittance to my wife of 
^130 in gold. 

My father, then in his sixty-second year, was an ardent de- 
fender of the Union, and took great interest in the organiza- 
tion of our regiment, to which he contributed two of his sons, 
my brother, next to me in age, being the quartermaster of 
our regiment. He had ordered to be made the flags of the 
regiment, and as they were not finished before it left Evans- 
ville, they were presented at Benton Barracks, of which I 
give the following account to my wife : — 

"We had the ceremony of the Flags' Presentation yester- 
day at dress parade. Colonel Veatch read father's letter and 



THE MISSOURI CAMPAIGN 9 

made some very appropriate remarks, and the thanks of the 
regiment were unanimously tendered to him for his appropri- 
ate and valuable gift. The National flag is very fine, but I 
think the regimental flag is the best and most elegant I ever 
saw. There is no regiment from Indiana and I think none in 
the West that has as fine a stand of colors as ours. The men 
are very proud of them." 

The following extract describes a treat at Benton Barracks, 
the like of which we had more than once during the year, as 
we were on or near the Mississippi, Cumberland, and Ten- 
nessee Rivers within easy reach of Evansville: — 

"Your box of good things came on Sunday and was opened 
immediately. That evening we had what your Cincinnati 
cousin would call *a sumptous tea.' William, our cook, got 
out all his dishes and I furnished him with a new tablecloth 
and he got up a table in fine style with your dainties, with 
the aid of the bouquets and fruits our kind neighbors here 
had sent. Not only Aleck and I, but all our mess have en- 
joyed your treat very highly." 

One of the matters that troubled me about giving up my 
affairs at Evansville was the continued maintenance of a 
large Mission Sunday School which I had organized and kept 
up in a flourishing way for some years. I did not get encour- 
aging news as to its condition, and I wrote my wife about an 
efficient superintendent : — 

"I hardly know whom you can get in my place. There are 
very few men who will take the trouble and have the patience 
and perseverance to keep the school up through the hot 



10 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

summer and cold winter successfully as I have done for four 
years. But it ought not to go down." 

The school was maintained for some time, but it was dis- 
continued long before the war closed. 

Some of the embarrassments attending my new and un- 
tried duties are described in the following letter : — 

"I was detailed to-day as field officer of the brigade, and 
have been kept busy all day, in the saddle almost continu- 
ously from 8 A.M. to 5 p.m., and am tired enough. I went 
over this morning and reported myself to the general for 
duty, and the first thing he said was that the adjutant- 
general was away and I would have to mount the brigade 
guard. As I had never even mounted a regimental guard, 
you may be sure it rather stumped me, but like a soldier I 
did my best, and In the presence of the general, the officer of 
the day, and other officers I performed the duty and passed 
the guard in review satisfactorily." 

After three weeks of instruction and comfort at Benton 
Barracks we received orders to go to the front, and fearing 
my wife might be disturbed by the movement, I wrote her a 
consolatory letter : — 

"We have orders to leave to-morrow for Jefferson City. 
Of course we are in great hurry and have very little time 
to write letters, even to dear and loving ones at home. 
We left our homes to fight our country's battles, and natu- 
rally we are glad to see a prospect of that kind of work be- 
fore us. You must not be unduly solicitous or alarmed. You 
may hear reports of the Twenty-fifth being entirely cut to 



THE MISSOURI CAMPAIGN ii 

pieces or all prisoners, even before we are in sight of our 
enemy. Don't place any confidence in vague rumors. If 
anything serious takes place, Aleck or I will send early word 
home, or some of our friends will for us, and if you do not 
hear, you may be certain we are busy or out of telegraphic 
or mail communication, and you need not think we are dead 
or prisoners. Be a true, brave woman. Act worthy of a sol- 
dier's wife, and put your trust in God, remembering that He 
does all things well." 

The trip to Jefferson City was one of many railroad rides 
the regiment had, all more or less uncomfortable. I wrote, 
September i6: — 

*'I have only time to write you a pencil note at the depot. 
We arrived here safely yesterday at noon, but tired and in 
bad condition. As we began our march from Benton Bar- 
racks a hard rain set in and so continued half the day. 
Reached the depot at 3 p.m., but did not get off till 10 p.m., 
in crowded cars, little sleep, rain all night, with leaky cars. It 
took us fifteen hours to run to this place, one hundred and 
twenty-five miles. Just as we reached our camp it com- 
menced to rain in torrents again and so continued nearly all 
night. We got the tents out in the rain. If we get through 
safely with our first experience in hardships of soldiering we 
will do pretty well." 

Our regiment had been ordered to Jefferson City to form 
part of the grand army with which Fremont was expected to 
sweep Price and his forces out of Missouri, and for the next 
three months and more we were engaged in marching and 



12 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

counter-marching with hardly any fighting worth recording. 
One of the not unusual experiences of camp life, when the 
enemy were supposed to be near, I gave my wife while at 
Jefferson City: — 

"The news here to-day is that Lexington is taken by the 
secessionists. If that is so we are going to have some, warm 
work in this part of the country. Night before last several 
shots were heard in the direction of our pickets two or three 
miles out, which caused the alarm to be sounded and brought 
out all the regiments of the brigade into line of battle. Some 
of them came out with a great deal of noise and confusion. 
Ours came in perfect order and to our full satisfaction; a 
person fifty yards from our line would not have known that 
there was any disturbance at all going on in our camp. . . . 

"I get along tolerably well in daytime, as I keep so busy 
with other matters I don't have time to get homesick. But 
last night I had such a sweet dream about little Alice; and 
then when I woke and found it only a dream, how I wanted 
to be at home just a little while to see you and her. But let 
us be of good cheer and hope. I will be with you again." 

This is a frequent topic of my letters. A few weeks later I 
write : — 

"The parts of your letters about our Alice were the most 
interesting to me. The dear little darling, how I would love 
to see her walk. Don't let her forget her papa." 

How my dream recalled one of Campbell's war poems with 
which I was so familiar in college, "The Soldier's Dream" : — 
"The bugles sang truce, for the night cloud had lowered." 



THE MISSOURI CAMPAIGN 13 

In another letter from Jefferson City I write : — 

"You say in your letter received to-day that you are so 
glad we did not go to Kentucky, because they are going to 
have fighting there. We were very much disappointed in not 
being ordered to that very place, and just because there was 
to be fighting there, and we might aid our brethren in Ken- 
tucky. If our Government is worth anything it is worth de- 
fending and to maintain it thousands of our lives would be 
a cheap price. We must all look at it in this light, and do our 
duty fearlessly." 

A further extract from the same letter: — 

"We have had considerable trouble in having our guards 
learn their duty as sentinels. This week one of our sentinels 
was found asleep on his post. We sentenced him to be shot, 
at a court-martial, but recommended him to clemency; at 
the same time privately having the colonel understand it was 
merely formal to make the soldiers more careful hereafter. 

"So yesterday at dress parade the regiment was thrown 
into a hollow square, the prisoner brought out and sentence 
pronounced with great gravity, making to all who did not 
understand it a very solemn scene. The prisoner was re- 
manded to confinement to await execution. This morning 
the members of the companies all cast lots to decide who 
should be in the unfortunate squad to shoot him. The ten 
men who drew the black beans were brought up before head- 
quarters this morning and notified that to-morrow morning 
at daylight they would have a terrible duty to discharge, 
without telling them what it was, they readily imagining it. 



14 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

"To-day the young man was suffering greatly, but he - 
would not tell where his father or family are, for fear we 
should write them about it. He says his father told him if he 
died in battle he would be satisfied, but never to disgrace 
himself. And he promised that if we would only release him, 
he would give a good account of himself on the battlefield. 
He will be released in the morning, and we won't have any 
sleepy sentinels soon again." 

Five days later I write from Georgetown : — 
"We left Jefferson City Monday morning and came up 
to Lamine River, fifty miles, where we joined the Eighth and 
Twenty-fourth Indiana, and Colonel Veatch took command. 
Tuesday morning we heard there were seven thousand rebels 
near here [Georgetown] . The colonels of the other regiments 
wanted Veatch to stay at Lamine, but Colonel Morgan and 
I urged him on, knowing that we were equal to two to one, 
or even three, on the prairie with our long-range guns. It - 
was greatly through our urging that Colonel Veatch decided 
to go forward. We were anxious to have a pure Hoosier fight 
with the rebels, and were glad of the prospect. We left at 
3 P.M., all of us expecting to meet seven thousand at night or 
in the morning. It was a race, we supposed, for the posses- 
sion of Georgetown, and by ten o'clock at night we passed 
over the seventeen miles with our whole force, and entered 
the town peaceably, without disturbing a citizen from sleep, 
and slept in the court-house yard. It was our first march on 
foot and a hard one, but we made it finely. The last two 
miles were very trying on the men. The only way we kept 



THE MISSOURI CAMPAIGN 15 

them up was by riding down the Hnes and telHng the men it 
was only over the hill to the enemy, and we would have 
them certain. But no enemy was near, none nearer than 
Lexington. I don't know how I will feel on the battlefield, 
but as yet I have no fear of going into a fight. 

"We are at last settled after hard marching, rainy weather, 
and various hardships. I have been in the saddle nearly all 
the time for four days. Yesterday I stationed the picket 
guards, and it took about forty miles' riding, but I am stand- 
ing it well. It is just what I need. I enjoy it finely, eat 
largely, and have no dyspepsia [a trouble at home]. 

"Near to our camp is a neat little cottage all furnished 
'with everything, nice beds, furniture and carpets, dining- 
room and kitchen furniture complete. It is the house of a 
young lawyer, who was married this spring, was a secession- 
ist, was taken prisoner, took the oath of loyalty, violated it, 
and is now in the rebel army, and subject to be shot if he 
is ever caught. His wife has fled to her father's. Colonel 
Veatch has established his brigade headquarters in his house, 
and we are living in style. I am writing at his desk, using 
his paper." 

While in Georgetown I gave this picture of the country; — 

"For the first time we are really in the enemy's country, 
and are seeing the effects of secession and some of the terri- 
ble results of war. As we passed through the villages on our 
march here, the houses were nearly all deserted, the doors 
closed, and very few persons to be found. A sign of dreari- 
ness rested on everything. And when we arrived here at 



i6 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

Georgetown, the county seat and numbers about a thou- 
sand people, at least one half of the houses were vacant, the 
stores closed, and business suspended. 

"Georgetown has seen several reverses since the rebel- 
lion broke out, being several times in possession of both 
rebel and Federal troops. When the rebels came in, the 
Union men fled the country or took to the woods and slept 
among the bushes. Many women so exposed on the cold, 
damp ground lost their lives by the exposure. I took dinner 
a day or two ago with a gentleman, a citizen here, who 
formerly lived at Mount Vernon [near Evansville]. He had 
his store broken open in broad daylight by a company of the 
rebel army, and fifteen hundred dollars' worth of his goods 
carried away, while he was a refugee in the woods. Many 
men have lost their all. 

" Such outrages have naturally enough begotten a spirit of 
revenge among Union men, and those of them of more vio- 
lent passions and lesser principles have retaliated, until one 
wrong begetting another has brought on a spirit of bitter- 
ness and enmity among the people which is truly deplorable. 
I never want to see such a state of society again. The dregs 
of the population are uppermost, and the honest and inno- 
cent suffer. Surely it is a holy mission of ours to give peace, 
and safety, and law to this country. This part of the State 
is the most beautiful farming country I ever saw, and cer- 
tainly it needs peace. Here truly *only man is vile.'" 

In another letter from Georgetown, I report: — 

"As to the enemy I don't know anything that is definite. 



THE MISSOURI CAMPAIGN 17 

We have a report this evening that they are only twenty-six 
miles away, but we have had them right on us so often before, 
that I hardly believe any reports we hear about them. But 
we try to keep prepared, our men sleep on their arms, and 
we station our pickets out five or ten miles." 

As already noticed, the first payment to our regiment was 
made in gold coin, but the second one is noticed from George- 
town as follows: "I sent you by the Paymaster to be ex- 
pressed from St. Louis $150 in Treasury Notes. I suppose 
the Treasury Notes are good, but when you can get them 
changed into gold I would do it, to lay by for later use." 

This suggests that I had early anticipated the coming 
depreciation of Government paper currency, and in later 
remittances I repeated this injunction, so that when I re- 
tired from the army my wife had as her savings from my 
pay a considerable sum in gold, which she converted into 
"greenbacks" at the rate of two dollars and fifty cents for 
one dollar gold. 

In her letters more than once my wife writes of the alarm 
created among her neighbors for fear the rebel forces would 
capture Evansville, our home. In a letter, October 13, I 
wrote her : — 

"You say in some of your letters that the people were 
packing up to leave Evansville when the rebels come. I do 
not believe they will ever reach there, but if they should come 
I would not, if I were you, leave your home or pack up. 
Your valuables you might put into a place of security, but 
they will not injure peaceable and discreet women at least." 



i8 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

In a letter of October 15, I report a movement of our 
brigade to Otterville : — 

"We have come here to go into Major-Genera 1 Pope's 
division of Fremont's army in Davis's brigade. How long we 
will remain here is uncertain!, but I guess only a few days, 
when we shall go south in search of Price. 

"The bad weather has made a large number of our men 
sick, and two or three hundred were left behind. General 
Davis put me in charge of them with orders to get wagons 
and bring them forward. The sick department of our army 
is the most unpleasant, the most troublesome, and the most 
neglected In the whole service. I would rather at any time 
encounter the dangers of the battlefield than the hospital and 
receive the treatment of privates. It is a shame to humanity 
and our Government that it is so much neglected, at least 
here." 

A few days later I wrote : — 

"I have no time to write you a letter. I am doing most of 
the business of the regiment, both of the colonels being sick. 
All of our brigade left this morning in the forward movement 
except our regiment, which was left behind for three reasons 
— the brigade took all our wagons, we had so large a number 
of sick, and a regiment was to be left to forward supplies. 
We will leave as soon as we get transportation. 

"Aleck [my brother, regimental quartermaster] has been 
promoted to post quartermaster of General Pope's division, 
and will be stationed at Otterville, charged with the duty 
of drawing from St. Louis and forwarding supplies to the 



THE MISSOURI CAMPAIGN 19 

division, a very responsible position, and earned by his atten- 
tion to his duties." 

Three days later I wrote : — 

"The health of our regiment has been very bad. It is 
almost unfit for duty. We could only turn out two hundred 
for company drill, and could hardly march five hundred to- 
morrow. Diarrhoea, chills and fever, and measles are preva- 
lent. Our ofiicers are almost all laid up. Colonel Morgan 
has gone to a private house to recruit for a few days. Aleck 
and I have been the only officers at headquarters who have 
been entirely fit for duty for several days." 

Notwithstanding the condition of the regiment it became 
necessary for me to run down to St. Louis by rail to bring 
forward our supply of winter clothing, blankets, etc., and my 
wife met me there for a day. I am answering her first letter 
after her return to EvansvIUe, October 23 : — 

"I am sorry to have you write so despondingly, or rather 
was sorry to know you felt so lonely (I always want you to 
write just as you feel). But it was natural that you should 
feel badly after our separation, for I know what my own 
feelings were. I trust you are more hopeful and cheerful 
now. You must remember it is all for the best. I would be 
with you in our comfortable home, enjoying all the happi- 
ness which you and my dear and kind friends could bestow 
upon me, if I could. But it is impossible. I should be a miser- 
able coward to stay at home in ease and luxury at such a 
time of national calamity and need." 

I wrote again two days later, showing that I had a clear 



20 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

vision of the result of Fremont's grand march to destroy 
Price : — 

"I hardly think we can get off before the first of next week, 
but it does n't make much difference to us. We will hardly 
have a battle at any rate, and will only march down into the 
lower part of the State to winter, or drag our weary way 
back again. If this expedition is not a Moscow defeat, I 
shall be highly gratified. But you must not be alarmed 
about me. The officer who has a horse to ride and comfort- 
ably equipped will be well situated, but it is the poor foot 
soldier who has to suffer." 

I at last chronicle our departure: — 

" I have only a moment to write you that we are just about 
marching to the South. I am very busy, both the colonels 
and quartermaster being sick. I am colonel, quartermaster, 
and almost everything else. My health is very good. I see 
you are secretary of the Ladies Soldiers' Aid Society. You 
can't do too much for the soldiers, but their greatest need is 
in the hospitals, good nurses, good cooks, clean shirts, sheets, 
and kind treatment. If I am to die in the army, I want it to 
be on the battlefield, never in the miserable hospitals." 

The following presents not an unusual phase of soldiering, 
but new to me : — 

"About this hour (3 a.m.) more than two months ago [the 
day the regiment left Evansville] my good wife was up to 
give me a good breakfast and bid me good-bye, and I ought 
to be able to write her a short letter at the same hour. 

"We left Otterville day before yesterday with all our 



THE MISSOURI CAMPAIGN 21 

regiment that could march, with a train of fifty wagons. We 
had unbroken, balky horses, and have had a hard time with 
the train. Our division is fifty miles below Warsaw, and 
about out of provisions, and we have to use great haste to 
get them forward. To expedite matters I have taken per- 
sonal command of the provision train and have been work- 
ing hard at it. Sometimes it takes us two hours to get over 
one hill, then two hours to get through one mud-hole. I am 
not much of a wagoner, as you know, but I have the author- 
ity and the knack of getting a good deal of work out of the 
men. I have two good wagon-masters along with me. I take 
their advice, and then assume to know all about it with the 
drivers. You ought to see me preside over the difficulties of 
a hill or a mud-hole. When a wagon gets stalled, I just get 
off my horse and put my shoulder to it. The men work twice 
as hard when I help them. We got along pretty well to-day 
and reached our camp long before dark. This morning we 
have two heavy hills before us, and are up at three o'clock 
to have the horses fed and ready for a move as soon as it is 
light. Breakfast is announced and we must be ready to be 
off soon. If I get through with the provisions in good time it 
will be equal to a small victory for our division of the army. 
I am well and hearty; this kind of work makes me fat." 

The culmination of this campaign is noted in a letter of 
November 7 : — 

"I have only time to write you a note to let you know we 
are safe in Springfield, without a fight or loss of life. When 
we reached Warsaw we received our orders from General 



22 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

Pope to come to Springfield by forced marches with all 
possible rapidity, as the enemy were advancing upon us In 
force. So for four days we marched twenty miles every day, 
which was something unusual for any army, but our men 
stood It very well, and are now much better for the exercise. 

"When we arrived here we learned that Price was seventy 
miles away from us and that there never was any danger. 
Officers speak very disparagingly of Fremont. The indica- 
tions are that we will march back again In a few days. 'Up 
the hill and down again.'" 

Sometime before the next letter was written from Warsaw, 
November 14, on the march "down the hill," we had heard 
of the removal of General Fremont : — 

"Our Missouri campaign has been a very barren aifair. 
It may suit a fellow who likes long walks and heavy march- 
ing, but there has not been much of war in It. The only 
time there was to my mind any prospect of a fight was at 
Georgetown. If Price had ever intended to fight, it was his 
best chance. We have been chasing him all through the 
southern part of the State on long and forced marches, 
wearing out our troops, and spending immense sums of 
money, and Price keeping fifty miles away from us all the 
time, and he is now clear over into Arkansas. The Spring- 
field campaign is over at least, and Fremont's reputation 
and our soldiers' feet have been the sufferers. However 
popular Fremont may be his military glory is ended. 

"Our Colonel Veatch I regard as a man of unusual good 
judgment and has been an ardent friend of Fremont, and yet 



THE MISSOURI CAMPAIGN 23 

says his removal was just and needed, and such is almost 
the unanimous opinion of officers here. Tell father if he has 
not become reconciled to the removal, a personal knowledge 
of matters at St. Louis and here would satisfy him." 

My youngest brother, Willie, was eight years old at this 
time, and I make frequent references to him in my letters. 
From Syracuse I wrote November 18: — 

"We arrived here yesterday from our march of two hun- 
dred and fifty miles. We left Otterville on October 29 and 
arrived here yesterday the 17th, having had only one day 
of rest during the whole journey. If I had time I would 
write Willie a letter (but you can tell him) of our march, 
what a long line our division made, troops and trains of near 
three miles, what a time the poor soldiers had with sore 
feet, how we sat around big blazing camp-fires, how we got 
up before daylight and ate our breakfast on a log, and were 
marching before the sun was up, and give him a list of all 
the towns we passed through so he can find them on the map 
I sent him. About these I can give him the details when I 
come home. But this is only the least exciting of the sol- 
dier's life stories. We can't come home till I can tell him 
something about our experience on the battlefield, which 
we have not yet had." 

A week later I write still from the same place, expressing 
great impatience that we are kept in Missouri, and the de- 
sire on the part of myself and the men to be ordered into 
Kentucky, but I add : " I am beginning to understand that 
the army is one vast machine, and the mass of us need not 



24 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

trouble ourselves about our future, as our generals will 
determine that. We have only to do our duty and execute 
their commands." But I caution my wife if we are ordered 
to Kentucky: "You must not flatter yourself that, if I get 
nearer home, I will have a much better opportunity of pay- 
ing a visit to the dear ones there." 

Then I entered upon a topic which seemed to be a familiar 
one in my letters, about home : — 

"The commanding officers at St. Louis will be very par- 
ticular about absence, and when we get into the active field 
again it will be worse. And it must be so, if the army is to 
be kept in any state of efficiency. How much I would love 
to come home. No one ever more highly prized the blessings 
and comforts of a happy home than I, — a dear, loving, and 
noble wife, a sweet, darling little daughter, and so many 
kind kindred and friends, — ■ but it must be otherwise. I am 
called to the place of duty, away from all these. I would be 
a craven, a disloyal citizen, if I did not do what I am doing 
in this time of peril to our country. And I rejoice that I have 
a wife, with a heart so noble, so patriotic and so brave, as 
to share this feeling with me, and who submits to her situa- 
tion without a murmur. This pleasant home which you and 
I both long to enjoy together would be worthless and ruined, 
if our once prosperous Government falls to pieces. It is far 
better that we endure this separation and that our country 
suffer this terrible war for a time now, than that we permit 
the whole nation to fall to pieces, and for years and years 
after to see nothing but civil war and continued bloodshed 



THE MISSOURI CAMPAIGN 25 

between little factious States. We hope and pray that God 
will speedily restore the country to its wonted peace, so that 
we may all return to our families and friends." 

A little later, in acknowledging receipt of one of my wife's 
letters, I say: "I am glad you are reading Washington's 
letters. You will find he was a good husband and loved his 
home, but he went to war for seven years T"* 

While waiting in suspense at Syracuse, I tell of another 
court-martial : — 

" I was all day yesterday engaged in a court-martial and 
until late last night. A lieutenant in the Eighteenth Indi- 
ana was arraigned by his captain for attacking and slander- 
ing him in a newspaper In Indiana, and the lieutenant came 
to get me to defend him. I tried to beg out of it, but he 
insisted so strongly that I had to undertake it. The court 
was presided over by the general commanding, and was 
composed of the colonels and other field officers of the 
division, and I was somewhat abashed In appearing before 
it, the practice of the court being altogether different from 
our civil law courts, and I being unacquainted with it; but 
I thought I might as well learn now as at any other time. 
I think I got through with it pretty well. If I keep the lieu- 
tenant from being cashiered It will be fortunate for him." 

The coming on of winter made the generals, as well as 
the men, think of winter quarters. In a letter dated Novem- 
ber 24, referring to another of the reports about a threatened 
attack on us by Price and the probability of marching again, 
I write: — 



26 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

"In the meantime we are shivering around our camp- 
fires in this winter weather, and stuffing our tents full of 
straw, blankets, and buffalo robes to keep warm. Last night 
I managed to sleep comfortably. I made my bed right down 
on the ground. It is warmer than to have my cot up on 
its legs. These Missouri prairie winds are such winds as 
Hoosiers don't know anything about. =* 

"You ought to see some of the expedients we resort to for 
comfortable camp-fires. At headquarters of the regiment 
we have a big roaring log fire built, and have small logs 
propped up on the forks of saplings for seats or benches, 
and then we barricade ourselves from the wind a little by 
tents and stretching wagon covers around the saplings. . . . 
But at the best this winter campaigning is not comfortable 
for officers or men." 

Notwithstanding the cold weather, I note in my letter of 
December 3, that we are keeping up the drills: — 

"Yesterday and to-day we have been kept quite busy, 
General Pope having issued a strict order in reference to 
regimental and brigade drills. We are out both morning and 
afternoon with the regiment, notwithstanding that the ground 
has been covered with snow and it is very cold. It comes a 
little hard on us, cold fimgers and cold feet, but it is all the 
better for both officers and men. As for myself I am in much 
the best health when I am kept busy, and on the march or 
move. This afternoon we had a review of the whole brigade, 
preparatory to an anticipated grand review by General 
Halleck, Department Commander, in a few days." 



THE MISSOURI CAMPAIGN 27 

It finally seemed settled that the army was to remain in 
this part of Missouri, and we were to go into winter quarters. 
So our brigade marched down to Lamine River December 7, 
preparatory to a permanent encampment. I report: — 

"We will have a large city of log huts, probably 15,000 
or 20,000 troops. We are commencing operations to-day by 
clearing off our camp, preparatory to building our log huts. 
I shall be in command of the working forces of our regiment 
and shall soon know how to build a log house in the most 
approved style. So you see I am having a varied experience 
in my army life." 

I seemed to be quite possessed with the project of building 
our huts and getting into winter quarters, as I was planning 
to extend hospitality to dear friends. I write my wife: — 

"How would you and little Alice like to come out and 
live with me in a log hut for a while this winter? If the little 
darling will learn to say 'papa' right sweet and right plain, 
maybe I will have her come out and see and talk with her 
*papa.' That will depend on how long we will stay here, and 
how well I shall be fixed up. But you must not be certain 
of it, for a soldier's life is a very uncertain one." 

And sure enough all our plans and anticipations came to 
an end, as a letter from SedaHa, December 21, relates: — 

"After more than a week's silence I have only time to drop 
you a note. The newspapers will doubtless tell you of our 
last expedition. We went out in a hurry and came back In a 
hurry. We just missed by three hours' march a rebel supply 
train with a guard of three thousand: but we succeeded 



28 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

in capturing an entire regiment, with a full complement of 
officers, and Colonel Magoffin, a notorious secessionist, and a 
lot of other prisoners, making altogether about one thousand. 

"There was no fight of any consequence. The cavalry 
surrounded them and they surrendered after a short skir- 
mish. The Twenty-fifth was in the advance of the infantry 
and would have been in the fight, if needed. The only one of 
Qur regiment killed was Sergeant Ray, of Company G, who 
was acting as a mounted scout. Our regiment was assigned 
as a guard to the prisoners, and will have the post of honor 
in conducting them to St. Louis. We will leave by train in 
the morning. I am very tired with guard duty and march- 
ing for two days and nights, and must be up early in the 
morning." 

This march proved the last of our campaigning in Mis- 
souri. Not a glorious record, but a lot of experience and 
useful training as soldiers. The regiment was assigned to 
quarters at Benton Barracks. I write : — 

" It is uncertain how long we shall stay here or what they 
will do with us. We may be all winter or possibly only two 
or three weeks. They have given the field officers of our 
regiment a little house just outside the Barracks, four rooms, 
a kitchen, cellar, and attic for the servants, and a stable. 
If we can arrange things to suit us and it is agreeable to the 
other officers, I expect Colonel Veatch and I will be sending 
for our wives. What think you of it?" 

A few days later I received her reply on which I made the 
following comments : — 



THE MISSOURI CAMPAIGN 29 

"You never wrote a more noble letter. I have read it over 
and over again. You could have written in a way which 
might have been more likely to have brought you over to 
visit me, but you could not have in a way more surely to 
make me love and admire you. I know how much you love 
to be with me and how much I would enjoy your presence. 
I have been thinking, ever since we came back to St. Louis 
[seven hours by rail from Evansville], about the propriety 
of having you come over to spend a few days or weeks with 
me, and had hardly decided what to do about it. 

"Wliile in many respects it would be pleasant, in others 
it would not be. If you took up quarters with me, it would 
be in a very comfortable room for a soldier, but not very 
comfortable or attractive for a lady — no furniture except 
stools, plank tables, and bunks with straw to sleep on, and 
soldiers' blankets and buffalo robes for covering. And then 
it would be in a house filled with officers, — gentlemen, it is 
true, but not at all times pleasant companions for a lady. 
If you went with me to a hotel, I would have to neglect my 
duties, which neither you nor I would desire me to do. 
And even in my own quarters I could not pay that attention 
to you which I would desire without some, at least apparent, 
neglect of duty. There are quite a number of officers' 
wives here, and I know that they do not in any degree pro- 
mote the efficiency of the service. When I decided it to be 
my duty to go into the army I anticipated I would have to 
give up my dear home comforts and enjoyment, and when 
you gave your consent to my going you so regarded it, and 



30 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

though we may both lament the necessity, we should not 
complain. I believe under the circumstances you will agree 
with me that for the present it is best that you should not 
come over, — will you not?" 

When we returned to Benton Barracks we found that gal- 
lant soldier General W. T. Sherman in command. I had only 
a formal acquaintance with him then, but years after we 
were near neighbors in Washington and became intimate 
friends. When at the Barracks he was under a cloud of 
ridicule, and was known throughout the country as "Crazy 
Sherman." This appellative was given him because, a few 
weeks before, while in command at Louisville, he had told 
•Mr. Cameron, Secretary of War, he would require two 
hundred thousand soldiers to rid the State of Kentucky 
of rebel troops. The sequel proved that more than that 
number had to be sent into that State before it was free of 
Confederate troops. Sherman was at that period one of the 
few sane men who realized so early the magnitude of the task 
before us. His "Memoirs," published years after the war, 
show that at the time he was much distressed at the appel- 
lative. 

Our stay at Benton Barracks was prolonged for nearly six 
weeks, and was the usual experience of such soldier life. 
In a letter of January 14, 1862, I write: — 

"It is now between eleven and twelve o'clock at night, 
and I am writing you while you are sleeping with our little 
darling near you, — if she has n't waked you up ! You may 
wonder why I am writing you at this late hour. Well, I 'm 



THE MISSOURI CAMPAIGN 31 

'officer of the day' for the Barracks, and a part of my duty 
is to make *the grand rounds' of the guards at least once 
after twelve o'clock at night. Rather than get a half sleep and 
be waked up, I prefer to sit up and write my wife till the 
time comes. 

"We were very agreeably surprised this morning to have 
Captain Willie [my brother] step in on us, as we were not 
looking for him. I am very glad he came. We will try to make 
it a pleasant visit to him, and he will be much company for 
us. As I am 'officer of the day,' I took him around with me 
as my 'orderly'! When I visited the different guard-houses 
and sentinel-posts, he was very much interested in seeing the 
guards 'turn out' and the other military civilities. It has 
been very cold to-day, but both the infantry and cavalry 
were out for the afternoon drills of battalions and brigades. 
Willie stood out in the cold wind to see the maneuvers as 
long as he could. 

"We have had a very pleasant evening at our quarters 
to-night. At dress parade Colonel Morgan invited all the 
officers over to take supper with us. They came, about thirty 
of them, about seven o'clock, and at eight we had supper. 
We had oysters fried, oysters stewed, oysters raw, and oys- 
ter patties, with their accompaniments, followed by meats, 
pickled pig's-feet and salad, and topped off with pound cake 
and champagne wine. You would hardly approve of the 
wine part, but we could scarcely do less at a soldiers' supper. 
Very few would have stopped at that. Then those who 
smoked devoted themselves to a plentiful supply of cigars. 



32 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

"In our regimental brass band there is a fine string band. 
I wish you could hear it, as I know with your love of music 
you would enjoy it very much. It gave us music all the 
evening. The ofiicers got up a 'stag dance' and enjoyed it 
greatly. Then we had some first-rate songs, and wound up 
the evening by the ofiicers presenting Dr. Walker [our regi- 
mental surgeon], In an appropriate (1) speech hy the major, a 
beautiful medical staff sword, belt, gold tassel, and green 
silk sash, in token of a most faithful discharge of his onerous 
duties." 

About this time I reply to a letter from my wife, regarding 
some domestic matters, as follows : — 

"I was somewhat affected and a little amused at the ac- 
count you give of your household and financial troubles. 
You must not let a little gas bill of fourteen dollars worry 
your life out of you. It is possible it was a little exorbitant, 
but none to hurt. I don't want you to worry yourself about 
these business matters. Where there are any troubles you 
will find your mother and father safe and willing advisers. 
I know that you are careful and prudent in your family 
expenses. I never thought you spent a cent unnecessarily. 
I don't want you to be thinking you are spending too 
much money; I just want you to get all you want to eat 
or wear. 

"When I left home I got you a good house to live in, and I 
want you to live in it in proper style and comfort. If I was 
at home you know I would have broiled quails, stewed rab- 
bits, roast turkeys, venison, all varieties of oysters, and all 



THE MISSOURI CAMPAIGN 33 

kinds of good things for the table, and there Is no reason why 
*a lone, lorn' wife should starve just because her husband 
has gone off to the war. If I was at home I would have two 
or three gas burners going to your one, if I wanted the light; 
and there is no reason why my wife should grope around in 
the dark for fear of a gas bill at the end of the month. I know 
you are not extravagant and therefore there is no danger of 
useless expenditure, and no occasion for troubling yourself 
on that account. I have no fear but that you will save all the 
money you can conveniently with your family wants. I am 
drawing pretty good pay, and therefore can afford to keep 
my family in good circumstances." 

Frequent reference in my letters is made to the way in 
which the Sabbath is spent in camp. In one of my letters I 
express the hope that "I will not lose or forget my Christian 
standing. I want to come home as good a Christian at least 
as when I left, though the temptations to evil and bad habits 
are very great." 
Here is a description of one while at Benton Barracks: — 
"Another Sabbath day has nearly passed, but before I go 
to sleep I must write you at least a short letter. To-day has 
been a quiet and rather profitable Sabbath, at least more so 
than most of those which I spend in camp. In the forenoon 
Willie and I went to the First Presbyterian Church, expect- 
ing to hear Dr. Nelson, but after we were in and well seated, 
who should I see going up into the pulpit with Dr. Nelson 

but Mr. , the Home Missionary agent who preached at 

Evansville last year, you will probably remember him. And 



34 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

he gave us the very same sermon to-day that he did then 
verbatim. The text was the same — 'The Kingdom of Heaven 
is Hke unto leaven which a woman took and hid,' etc. Having 
heard it before, I was not much interested in it, so that my 
visit to the city through the mud was not a very pleasant or 
profitable one. 

"But this afternoon I read the 'Evangelist' [the Presby- 
terian Church paper] all through, reading almost every ar- 
ticle, and it generally interests me, occupying most of the 
afternoon. This evening I read several chapters in the Bible, 
the 6oth of Isaiah, ist, 2d, and 3d of John, and my favorite 
chapters, the 14th, 15th, and i6th of John, and others. I 
also read two of the little books you sent us in the Soldier's 
Library. So you see the day has not been an entirely profit- 
less one, but how much more pleasantly I could have spent 
it at home with my dear wife and child! But when I come 
back the Sabbaths will be the more pleasant and sacred with 
you, and we shall have an added pleasure in teaching our 
little darling holy hymns and holy truths." 

I had occasion often in my letters to thank the folks at 
home for the useful things and dainties they were frequently 
sending to camp. The correspondence shows that I was not 
bashful in making our wants known, as, for instance, this 
extract : — 

"You have written me several times asking what I wanted. 
Well, really, we don't want much of anything but our wives 
and families, as we are living very comfortably; but if you 
want to send us a present you might send us a box or two of 



THE MISSOURI CAMPAIGN 35 

eatables. Say you bake us one of your good jelly cakes, and 
mother try her hand on one of her first-quality fruit cakes, 
and Eliza and Cassie [my sister and sister-in-law] see what 
they can do on a lady cake or something of that kind. And 
then, if you have in any of the various Foster families any 
extra supply of fruits, or preserves, or jellies, or tomatoes, or 
such like, you might send them by way of ballast." 

In one of my last letters from Benton Barracks I gave this 
account of the Sunday mspection : — 

"This forenoon I was busy at the Barracks. Every Sunday 
morning when it is pleasant weather we have a general in- 
spection. The troops turn out in the best clothes they have, 
with shoes cleaned and blacked, knapsacks packed and on 
their backs, guns brightened up, and looking as well as they 
can. They are inspected by companies. Then the sleeping- 
quarters, dining-room, and kitchen are visited to see that 
they are kept in good order, etc. This inspection is some- 
times made by the general. When not made by him, it is 
made by the field ofiicers. Colonel Veatch and I made the 
inspection this morning, and it kept us busy till near noon." 

Our marching orders came finally as recorded in my last 
letter written from St. Louis at the Barracks : — 

"We have been anticipating marching orders for several 
days, but have at last received them. Orders came out from 
General Halleck this evening that 'The Twenty-fifth Indiana 
would prepare to march to Cairo.' The exact date of our 
departure is not definitely known, but it may be early to- 
morrow. It is quite cold, but we can stand it as well as any 



36 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

of this army. We are very willing to leave the Barracks and 
get into the field, and especially as we are going down the 
river and most likely will be sent to Paducah or Smithland. 
Barracks life does n't agree with me near so well as active 
work." 



Ill 

THE BATTLE OF FORT DONELSON 

Greatly to our relief the Twenty-fifth Indiana was surely 
out of Missouri, with the prospect of active campaigning in 
Kentucky or Tennessee. Although we had orders to take 
steamer for Cairo on January 30, we did not get away from 
St. Louis till February 2. On the steamer I wrote my wife 
in a tone which indicated that I was taking a more serious 
view of our future than I had in Missouri : — 

"It may be that when we get to Cairo we shall find orders 
sending us up to Smithland, but wherever we go you will 
have abundant rumors of army movements and great battles 
fought. I trust you will not be unnecessarily alarmed or 
solicitous. I will write you as often as I can, keeping you as 
well posted as possible, but I expect I shall only be able to 
write you at considerable intervals. . . . We will both pray 
our Heavenly Father to be my guard and protector, and 
return me safely to my home and dear family again. Let us 
have faith, and hope for the best." 

On the 6th of February I write again from Cairo: "We are 
quartered here in the barracks, in the muddiest place imag- 
inable. No one who has not been in Cairo knows what mud 
is. How long we shall remain here is altogether uncertain." 

My next letter was written the 9th on a steamer going up 
the Tennessee River : — 



38 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

"We seem fated to make or commence all our marches on 
the Sabbath. How often do I long for the enjoyment of one 
of our home Sabbaths. We were ordered to go aboard the 
steamboat at nine o'clock Saturday morning, so we had the 
men up before day to cook two days' rations and were packed 
up all ready to leave. But we did not go until noon to-day 
and we should be at Fort Henry to-morrow forenoon. We 
have six hundred barrels of powder on board, which makes 
traveling a little dangerous, but shall be at Paducah In an 
hour or two, where It will be unloaded. Our orders are to 
*joIn General Grant,' so I suppose we will be with the army 
as it goes forward Into Tennessee and South to victory. 

"I am just in the locality I have been wanting to be all 
during the war, and I have only to do my duty like a soldier 
and a man. You must not be unduly solicitous about my 
welfare, or pay much attention to the rumors by telegraph, 
as they are at first always uncertain and generally erroneous. 
If our regiment Is in an engagement, I will see that a carrier 
is sent to the first place to get the news home. So that if you 
do not hear you can be satisfied that all is right. You will 
remember me in your thoughts and prayers always, and have 
faith that all will be well." 

This was the last letter I was able to write home until 
after the battle of Fort Donelson. On the loth our regiment 
reached Fort Henry on the Tennessee River which had been 
captured by General Grant only four days before our arrival. 
On the 1 2th we marched over to the vicinity of Fort Donel- 
son with the rest of General Grant's army, eleven miles from 



THE BATTLE OF FORT DONELSON 39 

Fort Henry, and situated on the west side of the Cumberland 
River. We were a part of the division commanded by Gen- 
eral Charles F. Smith, and which occupied the extreme left of 
General Grant's army. That army, when it went into camp 
on the evening of February 12, covered the entire front of 
the Confederate forces. From our encampment the rebel line 
of rifle-pits and fortifications could be seen, we occupying 
one series of ridges and the enemy those confronting ours. 

The fighting began on the morning of the 13th, our picket 
lines being pressed toward the enemy's front, mainly to de- 
velop their position. In view of the eagerness of my own 
account in my letters, I quote the part of the ofiicial report 
of Colonel Veatch, which relates to the operations of the 
Twenty-fifth Indiana on the 13th: — 

"At 10 o'clock A.M. we moved forward in line of battle to 
the top of the hill which was between us and the enemy's 
breastworks. Here I received orders to fix bayonets and 
charge the rebels, and, if possible, drive them from their 
works. The timber was so thick that we could only see here 
and there a part of the rebel works, but could form no idea 
of their range or extent. ... At the foot of the hill the enemy 
poured on us a terrible fire of musketry, grape and canister, 
and a few shells. The rebel breastworks were now in plain 
view on the top of the hill. The heavy timber on the hillside 
had been felled, proving a dense mass of brush and logs. 
Through and over these obstacles our men advanced against 
the enemy's fire with perfect coolness and steadiness, never 
halting for a moment until they received your order. After 



40 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

a halt of a few minutes they then advanced within a short 
distance of the enemy's breastworks where the fire from a 
six-pound field-piece and twelve-pound howitzer on our 
right was so destructive that it became necessary to halt 
and direct the men to lie down to save us from very heavy 
loss. 

"After remaining under a very heavy fire for two hours 
and fifteen minutes, with no opportunity to return the fire to 
advantage, the enemy being almost entirely hid, and seeing 
no movement indicating a further advance from any part of 
the line, I asked permission to withdraw my regiment. In 
retiring, owing to the nature of the ground and our exposed 
position, the men were thrown Into slight confusion, but they 
rallied promptly at the foot of the hill, and remained In that 
position until night, when we moved back, as directed, to the 
ground we occupied In the morning. We lost In this action 
fourteen killed and sixty-one wounded." 

On the 14th the battle was continued almost entirely by 
our naval forces, the army taking no part except the pickets 
and sharp-shooters. It was General Grant's hope that the 
gunboats would be able to silence the Confederate water 
batteries and pass up the Cumberland, and thus cut off rein- 
forcements to the enemy, but in this they failed and were 
forced to retire. 

In view of this situation it was the Intention of Grant to 
establish a siege of the fortifications and await reinforce- 
ments. But on the morning of the 15th our right wing under 
General McClernand was attacked in force, the enemy com- 



THE BATTLE OF FORT DONELSON 41 

ing out of their intrenchments with the apparent intention 
of cutting their way through our Hne and abandoning the 
fort. McClernand being hard-pressed, General Lew Wal- 
lace's division went to his assistance, and the battle raged 
in that direction with great intensity all the forenoon. We 
lay upon our arms In line of battle, ready and impatient to 
take part in the contest, listening to the roar of battle in the 
distance. General Smith, our division commander, about 
three o'clock in the afternoon received orders to advance 
upon the enemy in our front, and immediately our attacking 
force was formed by Lauman's brigade, in column of regi- 
ments, consisting of the Twenty-fifth Indiana, and three 
Iowa regiments, General Smith himself leading the attack. 

It was a martial sight, this column of regiments advancing 
down into the ravine and ascending the hill on which were 
located the enemy's fortifications, struggling through the 
abatis of fallen timber, with the bullets whistling thick 
among our ranks. But It was an event of only a few minutes; 
our column, never halting, was soon In front of the Intrench- 
ments, when the enemy broke and fled, and the day was won. 
Colonel Veatch says In his report that the skirmishers of the 
Twenty-fifth Indiana were among the first, if not the very 
first, to enter the fortifications. 

General Grant, in his account of this charge, says: "The 
outer line of rifle-pits was passed, and the night of the 15th 
General Smith, with much of his division, bivouacked within 
the line of the enemy. There was now no doubt but that the 
Confederates must surrender or be captured the next day^ It 



42 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

was an inspiring sight for us, as we ascended the hill, the 
general on his white horse, hat in hand, waving us forward 
into the enemy's lines. He was the hero of the battle. 
On the 19th General Halleck telegraphed to Washington: 
"Smith, by his coolness and bravery at Fort Donelson, 
when the battle was against us, turned the tide and carried 
the enemy's outworks." General Sherman, in his "Me- 
moirs," has this to say of the capture of Fort Donelson: 
"He [General Charles F. Smith] was a very handsome and 
soldierly man, of great experience, and at Donelson had 
acted with so much personal bravery that to him may be 
attributed the success of the assault." 

Although this charge of our brigade, the last fighting of 
the battle, was the decisive event which brought about the 
surrender, it was attended with little bloodshed. The charge 
was so rapid and the enemy's fire so unsteady, that we en- 
tered the intrenchments with little loss of life. More men 
were killed and wounded in the fight of the Twenty-fifth on 
the first day of the battle, as described in Colonel Veatch's 
report, than by the entire brigade in this charge so decisive 
in its result. 

At dawn on the morning of the i6th white flags were seen 
along the whole of the enemy's lines, and the notes of a bugle 
were heard by us advancing to the outworks where our bri- 
gade had bivouacked during the night. It announced an 
officer, who delivered to General Smith a letter to General 
Grant from the rebel commander. General Buckner, asking 
upon what terms he would receive a surrender. General 



THE BATTLE OF FORT DONELSON 43 

Grant's famous reply was: "No terms except an uncondi- 
tional surrender can be accepted. I propose to move imme- 
diately on your works." The forces engaged as given by 
General Grant were twenty-one thousand Confederates and 
twenty-seven thousand Federals. 

The only extant account of the battle I sent home was 
written to my wife on the day after the surrender, dated 
the 17th: — 

"I can write to you to-day with great thankfulness to our 
Heavenly Father for the privilege of again addressing my 
dear wife, and sending my congratulations to my home. 
You will have learned before this reaches you that Fort 
Donelson has surrendered. I am happy to write that the 
Twenty-fifth Indiana bore a worthy part in the conflict and 
triumph. We made two charges on the rifle-pits and forti- 
fications, on the 13th and on the 15th. Yesterday, after the 
surrender, the Twenty-fifth Indiana was the second regiment 
to enter the fort. We are now occupying huts in the fort 
lately occupied by the Second (rebel) Kentucky. This was 
the regiment which fought us so desperately in the rifle- 
pits on the 13th. 

"Our charge on the 13th was desperate, over the steep 
and rugged hills, covered with felled timber and under a most 
terrific fire. The fire of musketry was thick as hail. The 
cannon raked us on both flanks and in front, and the storm of 
shot, shell, grape, and canister was awful. You can say to 
our friends that the Twenty-fifth has been tried in most 
perilous positions and has acted like veterans. In the thick- 



44 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

est of the fight the officers and most of the men seemed to 
lose all sense of personal danger. 

"We have a host of prisoners and a large amount of stores. 
I am very tired and sore from our four days' labor. Four 
nights we slept on the wet or frozen ground, without tents 
or fires, and both day and night under arms. When I get 
a little sleep and rest I will write you fully. In our regiment 
the total of killed Is 14; wounded, 99." 

General Grant's account of the weather, alluded to In this 
letter, was : " It was midwinter, and we had rain and snow, 
thawing and freezing alternately. It would not do to allow 
camp-fires except far down the hill out of sight of the enemy, 
and It would not do to allow many of the troops to remain 
there at the same time. The weather turned Intensely cold 
on the evening of the 14th." 

Immediately after the battle a representative of the "Evans- 
ville Journal" was sent to Fort Donelson to make a report 
of the battle and the situation. I extract the following: — 

A detailed account of the battle will not be attempted, as 
you have already published an excellent one. I will speak more 
particularly of our Twenty-fifth, and of the incidents of the 
battle and the appearance of the field as seen by us. 

The Twenty-fifth covered themselves all over with glory. 
Everybody we talked to gave them credit for the utmost brav- 
ery. Exposed to a terrible cross-fire of artillery and musketry, 
having to charge through the difficulties I have described right 
up in the teeth of the rebel batteries and Into their murderous 
volleys, they passed through the fiery ordeal like veterans. On 
their end of the line the rebels first proposed to surrender, and 
to them belongs a large part of the glory of the victory. This 
honor is conceded to them. 



THE BATTLE OF FORT DONELSON 45 

It is hard, and would be Invidious, to mention particular 
cases of gallantry in the Twenty-fifth, where all did their duty 
so well. . . . The field officers all did their duty nobly. For cool- 
ness and determination Major Foster is the theme of general 
praise. . . . Quartermaster Foster and Chaplain Huring made 
themselves very useful, and showed great courage in attending 
to the dead and wounded on the field. 

I have thus given an account of the battle from partici- 
pants and others who had seen the field. But there is always 
another view of every battle — that to be seen in the far- 
away homes of the wives and mothers of the combatants. 
As representing the thousands who waited at home through 
the days of dread anxiety to know the fate of their loved 
ones, I give a letter from my wife dated February 20 : — 

"After four days of painful suspense and anxious waiting, 
when the news came last night that you were safe, you may 
be sure there was one thankful, grateful heart. Such dreary 
days and sleepless nights I hope I may never pass again. 
The first news of the battle reached here Saturday noon, and 
not one word did we hear of you till last night. Such a relief 
I never before experienced in my life, to know that you were 
safe and well. 

" All the accounts say you acted bravely and nobly, and 
we are all as proud of you as we can be. Oh, if I could only 
see you once more, my own dear husband! No one knows 
how thankful I am that you were spared, while exposed to 
terrible dangers. I began to feel on Tuesday that you must 
be safe, or we should have some report of it. I remembered 
that you said if I did n't hear, I might know all was right, 



46 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

but I could not rest until Willie Gwyn dispatched that all 
was right. I have heard to-day that on Monday it was re- 
ported and believed at first that you had been mortally 
wounded, and next that you were killed, but kind friends 
did not let those reports reach me. 

"A party went down to the fort from here on Tuesday. 
I then had heard nothing from you, and I thought I would 
hear sooner by staying at home. Then father was away, and 
I did n't know what to do. Another boat goes to-day. If we 
thought there was any prospect at all of seeing you, father 
and I would go, but every one regards it as so uncertain 
about your still being there that I guess we won't go. It 
would only be an aggravation to go and not see you. I hope 
it will not be long before I have something from your own 
dear self. Mr. Schoenfield [regimental sutler] was very kind. 
He dispatched and wrote father that you and Alex, were safe 
and did bravely. The dispatch came last night (Wednesday) 
and the letter by packet this morning. He said you wrote 
a few lines and he sent it, but fearing it did not reach us, he 
wrote himself. We have not received anything from you 
at all, and are very thankful to him indeed. Such kindness, 
I assure you, we appreciate. 

"The news of the surrender reached here Monday, caus- 
ing intense excitement and wild joy; but I could not rejoice 
till I heard from my dear one. And, oh, the dead and 
wounded, how much suffering and grief has been brought 
to many, many hearts! When we think of the suffering it 
takes away most of the rejoicing. 



THE BATTLE OF FORT DONELSON 47 

"I am proud of you, my dear John. I always knew you 
would do your duty nobly, and I thank God your life has 
been spared. Father and your mother came back from 
Cincinnati on Tuesday. I was glad to see father, for he is 
so kind to me. Write soon." 

Reference is made in this letter to the steamboats mak- 
ing trips to Fort Donelson after the battle. The cities and 
States of the Middle West vied with each other in dispatch- 
ing steamers, carrying hospital supplies and in bringing home 
the wounded and sick. Governor Morton of Indiana was a 
visitor, and immediately after the writing of the foregoing 
letter my father brought on one of these boats my wife, my 
little daughter, and brother Willie. Their stay was only for 
one day, but it brought to us all much joy and consolation. 

On our first day's fighting I had found one of the lieuten- 
ants skulking, having left the ranks, and he was hiding flat 
down under the bank of a little stream. I punched him out 
with my sword and made him join his company, much to the 
delight of the men who saw the act. The story went home 
In a very exaggerated shape, and I was credited with using 
to the lieutenant some very severe and profane language. 
Willie, who had heard the story and who entertained a high 
admiration for me, was greatly grieved and shocked. As soon 
as the boat landed at the fort, Willie rushed up to me, 
and throwing his arms about me, said : " Brother John, you 
did not curse and swear at the soldier, did you?" 

The capture of Fort Donelson was the first important and 



48 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

complete victory which had been won by the Union armies 
since the war began, and It was hailed with great joy through- 
out the North as the harbinger of further victories. General 
Sherman, ten years after the event, characterized It as "the 
first real success on our side in the Civil War. Probably 
at no time during the war did we feel so heavy a weight 
raised from our hearts, or so thankful for a most fruitful 
series of victories." 

In a letter of February 23, I acknowledged the receipt of 
my wife's letter above quoted, In these terms : — 

"George [my eldest brother] brought me yesterday the 
letters by you and father on the 20th, and they were such 
good ones I could not help the tears coming to my eyes. 
When I read your letters I began fully to realize how great 
was my deliverance. During all the war I most probably 
never will be in so hot a fire and in so much danger as that 
through which I passed during the late battles. Truly we 
have great reason to thank God for his kind protection over 
me. Do you remember the Psalm Mr. McCarer [our pastor] 
read the last night at our house, before I left with the regi- 
ment, the ninety-first.'* I got out my Bible and read it to-day 
again. I have read It many times since then. 

"I am proud of you, my dear Parke, for the manner in 
which you have acted ever since I have been in the army, 
but especially during and since the attack on the fort. You 
have learned by the experience of the late battles to put 
little reliance in the first reports of an engagement; they 
are always exaggerated. 



THE BATTLE OF FORT DONELSON 49 

"I was very glad to have a visit from George. I sent home 
some play-things for AHce by him. The rebels had fixed 
them up to shoot her papa with them. She can make better 
use of them, some canister and six-pounder shots. I sent 
you a letter right after the fight, and sent father one after 
the first day's fight. But the mails are so irregular it may 
be you did not get them. I would have sent a dispatch, but 
there was no telegraph nearer than Cairo. 

"We were greatly exposed during the four nights of the 
siege, and the officers had the same exposure as the men, at 
least all those who stood by their posts, sleeping on the ground 
with no tents and no fires, two nights both rain and snow, 
the others severely cold. By the time we got into the fort I 
was nearly tired out, and during all this week I have been 
resting. The exposure did not affect me much, except that 
it increased a cold already contracted. But I am *all right' 
again and ready to go into active service. How long we shall 
remain here I do not know. It may be for some time, it may 
be only to-day." 

Under date of the 24th I wrote : — 

"We are still in the fort, living in the rebel huts. I am 
getting very tired of our inactive life of the past week, and 
the worst of it is I 'm afraid we will be left here for some time 
to come, as we see no evidence of preparing for our advance. 
We would like very much to be sent forward. I suppose you 
have no special desire to have me get into another fight soon, 
but from present appearances there is not much probability 
of more fighting in Tennessee. 



50 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

"This Is a very poor country around the fort, and had 
already been eaten out by the rebel troops before ours came. 
There is nothing in the eating line we can buy for our mess, 
and we have had poorer fare here than at any time since we 
have been in the service. I begin to feel like I could relish a 
good dinner at home!" 

The following, dated March I, is a reference to the visit 
to the fort of my wife and father already noticed : — 

"Only day before yesterday my dear wife and darling 
babe were with me here. I need not tell you how pleasant 
was your visit to me, miade doubly so under the circumstances 
here, and then that I missed you so sadly after you were gone. 
But we cannot have pleasures unalloyed. I was glad you 
made the trip, aside from the pleasure of seeing you, as the 
excursion was a pleasant change for you and Alice. 

"I wonder if you will remember to-morrow that it is my 
birthday, twenty-six years old. Quite an old man!" 

Under date of March 4 record is made of the expected 
order : — 

"We received marching orders yesterday. We are to go 
from here to Fort Henry, there to take steamers on the 
Tennessee River, whether up or down the river we do not 
know, but our supposition is that we are destined for the 
direction of Florence, Alabama. It may be a movement on 
Memphis by the flank. We are all pleased with the prospect 
of getting still farther South. 

"Our greatest want now in the way of marching Is wagons 
for transportation, and that is likely to be the want during 



THE BATTLE OF FORT DONELSON 51 

all the marches. I, with quite a number of officers, have con- 
cluded to send our trunks home. We field officers are limited 
by General Grant's orders to one hundred pounds of bag- 
gage, to include clothing, bedclothes, mess-chest, and every- 
thing personal. And as I think as much of a warm bed and 
good rations as I do of good clothes, I have put a change of 
underclothes into my saddle valise, and with my carpet-sack 
can get along. Then Colonel Morgan and I have gone in 
partnership in an old trunk, for our dress uniforms, shirts, 
etc. I send my shabrack [saddle cover] in the bottom of the 
trunk. Have it taken out, well brushed, and hung up in the 
attic. It is rather too gay to wear out here in the woods. It 
will do for musters and parades at home!" 



IV 

THE BATTLE OF SHILOH 

We were much pleased to turn our backs upon Fort Donel- 
son, as the movement gave promise of an advance still 
farther into the South. , In my letter dated Fort Henry, 
March 7, I write: — 

"We left Donelson on the 5th. The roads were terribly 
muddy, and it took us two days to get here, about twelve 
miles. Besides, the weather was quite cold and snowing, be- 
ing one of the most blustery days of March, making the 
march a most uncomfortable one. But we arrived here in 
pretty good season yesterday evening, and were fortunate to 
get into the same cabins we occupied when here before. 

"The troops here are all embarking on steamboats, and it 
is understood that we are to go up the Tennessee River, how 
far we don't know, but hope through to Florence, Alabama. 
It is said (it is said, reported, understood, they say, are un- 
official terms, you must understand) that none of the boats 
will leave till all the regiments are embarked, and that the 
whole fleet will move together. The river is very high, and 
on account of backwater we can't get nearer than four hun- 
dred yards of the boats. 

"The Twenty-fourth Indiana went up the river this morn- 
ing to find a convenient place to embark. We may have to 
go up there also to get aboard. Just as we were marching 



THE BATTLE OF SHILOH 53 

through the cold and snow last night I met Uncle Tom going 
down to the boat on his way home. He told me he had re- 
signed, had caught a severe cold and had a bad cough. I 
think he has taken the best course, as his health can hardly 
stand the exposure." 

I refer here to my mother's youngest brother, Captain 
Thomas Johnson, whose case was that of many other 
officers in our army. He had been suffering for some years 
with tuberculosis, and would not have been able to pass the 
physical examination to which the soldiers in the ranks were 
subjected, but the examination of the officers was less strict. 
He was not fitted for the service and ought not to have 
entered it, but his zeal to serve his country in the time of its 
sore trial was so great that he could not be persuaded to stay 
at home. As we expected, he broke down within a year of his 
enlistment. We shall see that he was not content to remain 
inactive at home after he was relieved of his attack of cold, 
and in less than six months he obtained an appointment in 
one of the new regiments, only to be again sent home before 
another year of campaigning was over. 

As anticipated, the regiment was the next day ordered to 
go six miles up the river to get a convenient place of em- 
barkation. The day following was spent In camp: — 

"As I listened to our chaplain in his Sunday service to- 
day, how I wished I could have enjoyed our own church 
service at home with my wife. As I walked out through the 
woods this pleasant spring evening with Colonel Morgan, I 
could not help thinking of the times we enjoyed together in 



54 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

our many evening walks. I have been reading to-day the life 
of General Havelock, that noble Christian soldier. I was 
very much Interested in the affectionate and touching let- 
ters he wrote his wife and children; they made me think of 
my absent ones. . . . 

"Adjutant has resigned, and as he wants to go home 

immediately, before his resignation can go to St. Louis, be 
accepted, and returned, he has applied for a leave of absence. 
If he gets it, I will send this letter by him. He puts his resig- 
nation on the ground of ill-health, but the young man is mis- 
taken. A look at his fat jaws and healthy appearance will 
tell a diiFerent tale. He is In as good health as I am. The 
trouble with him is homesickness from love. We are out of 
the range of regular mails, and he can't get letters from his 
lady-love often. He can't endure the situation. We tried to 
talk him out of it, but he insists. He has at the best taken a 
bad time to resign, just on the eve of an important expedi- 
tion against the enemy. I told him last night that no one 
wanted to be at home more than I did, and that if I could 
get out of the service honorably In view of my duty, I would 
do so, but this I could not do. He can draw his own infer- 
ence. I think the young man is making a mistake personally. 
Here he is drawing a good salary, and at home he can do 
nothing, even If he was n't too lazy." 

The next letter was written on board a steamboat lying 
at the town of Savannah, Tennessee, dated the I2th: — 

"Here we are away down on the southern border of Ten- 
nessee, only a few miles from Alabama arid Mississippi, 



THE BATTLE OF SHILOH 55 

*away down in Dixie.' We went on board the steamboats day 
before yesterday, the loth, four companies on the Uncle Sam^ 
and six companies on the Conezvaga, the latter under my 
command. We have had a very pleasant trip up the river, 
being comfortably situated on the boat, and plenty of good 
eating. The Tennessee is quite a pretty river, but not very 
thickly settled immediately on its banks. At the farmhouses 
the people were collected in little groups, with waving 
handkerchiefs by the women, and frequent cheers for the 
Union. It was a new sight to the inhabitants, such an im- 
mense fleet of boats, black with troops, and bristling with 
cannon and munitions of war. The boats are all lying up 
here, most of them having arrived this morning, the river full 
of them on both sides. It is stated by officers who ought to 
know that we now have seventy steamers in the fleet, and 
that ten more are on the way. . . . 

"Remember me to Mr. McCarer and family. Tell him I 
am afraid we are persecuting our old-school, southside 
Presbyterian brethren, as they have called their General 
Assembly to meet in Memphis in May. I fear we shall get 
in the way of some of them, and scare them away. 

"There is a set of chessmen on the boat, and I have had 
several pleasant games, the first for a long time. How I 
would like to take a game with my dear wife, as of old. 

"Large numbers of Union men are coming in both to enlist 
and for refuge and protection. Some'of them came more than 
a hundred miles and had to travel at night, fleeing from the 
persecutions and cruelties of the rebels." 



S6 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

Writing on the l6th, I report: — 

"We are still lying at Savannah. More steamers with 
troops have arrived, so that now we have about ninety boats, 
and I estimate about sixty thousand soldiers. We are getting 
tired of staying on the boat, but it has been raining most of 
the time, and therefore our quarters are better than they 
would be ashore. The river has again risen and flooded over 
the banks." 

Two days later I write : — 

"We are still lying along the shore on the boats 'awaiting 
orders' rather impatiently too, the eighth day aboard. Yes- 
terday we left Savannah and came a few miles up to a farm 
where we found a good landing. We turned our men out on 
the shore to enjoy the exercise and fresh air (it was a most 
beautiful day), while we had the boat thoroughly cleaned. 
The men had been kept cooped up on the boats for so long 
they enjoyed the day very much. 

"We have a rumor of the taking of New Orleans by our 
forces from the Gulf, but can hardly credit it. It will be 
glorious news, if true, and a rapid step toward the end of the 
rebellion. ... 

"I have no news; mostly write to let you know I am in the 
best of health and in safety." 

At last my letter, dated in camp at Pittsburg Landing, 
gives account of our having left the boats : — 

"We are now in camp about a mile from the river In a 
pleasant forest. How long we are to remain here we do not 
know, but as to-morrow is Sunday we may get our marching 



THE BATTLE OF SHILOH 57 

orders then! We are ordered to keep in readiness to march at 
one hour's notice. We are also ordered to take with us in each 
company wagon seven days' rations of provisions and five 
days' rations of grain for horses, besides three days' rations 
in each man's haversack, making ten days' rations. As the 
roads are now, we won't be able to travel very fast. 

"Our force has been increasing every day by the arrival of 
new regiments. How large our army is I do not know, but 
the woods are perfectly alive with men. Regiments of tents 
are in every direction and extending for miles around. We 
have no doubt of our successful progress, whether it is to 
march upon Memphis or farther down South into the heart 
of 'Dixie.' You need have no fear for my personal safety, or 
for the success of our army. We are only hoping we shall be 
sent by rapid marches against Memphis, and when we get 
there you can come down and pay me another visit, if I can- 
not get off home for a few days." 

March 24 I wrote: — 

"I have not heard from you for two weeks, but to-day I 
have three letters from you and one from Father, and I can 
assure you your good, dear letters are most acceptable. I 
think of you and our dear little one so much and long for the 
time speedily to come when I can be with you again. I trust 
and believe that God is so ordering events that the time is not 
far removed. In the meantime we will hope and pray and be 
patient. 

"You need not be the least troubled about me. I am 
in perfect health, and General Buell with more than one 



58 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

hundred thousand men is making a junction with us ; so that 
our combined army of two hundred thousand has only to 
move to sweep every vestige of opposition out of the way, I 
don't think the enemy will make a stand before us at all." 

The foregoing illustrates how little the subordinate officers 
know of an army's strength or its future. It is a common 
error to make exaggerated estimates of an army. The figures 
given above place the numbers of the joint armies of Grant 
and Buell at more than double their actual strength. And so 
far from sweeping the enemy before them, within two weeks 
from the writing of this letter Grant's gallant army was at- 
tacked in its own camp, and barely escaped being swept into 
the Tennessee River. 

I wrote on the 27th: "I have been detailed by General 
Hurlbut as judge advocate of a general court-martial, and 
am kept very busy with its duties. That's what I get for 
being a lawyer." 

A letter on March 31 has the following: — 

"We had yesterday our monthly regimental inspection 
and in the afternoon we had a grand review of the division 
by General Hurlbut. In both these exercises it became neces- 
sary for me to command the regiment. The division review 
was very fine, the finest we have seen since we have been 
in the service. There were twelve regiments, with artillery 
and cavalry. Our regiment was highly commended by the 
general. 

"It has been a week since I have had a letter from you. 
Probably you sent a letter by Schoenfield [the sutler], but if 



THE BATTLE OF SHILOH 59 

you did it has not come, neither has Schoenfield. He started 
up the Tennessee River with his stores, among which was 
some whiskey. The troops on the boat discovered the whis- 
key, broke it open, and got into a general drunk. The con- 
sequence was he was sent back to Paducah with all his stores. 
That's what you get for having your letter in company with 
whiskey ! It reminds me that if you have a chance I would 
be very glad if you would send me a pint bottle of the best 
quality of pure brandy. The worst I have to fear in the army 
is diarrhoea, on account of bad water, especially in the warm 
weather. St. Paul was sensible when he recommended 'a 
little win.e for the stomach's sake.' My little wife won't 
fear I am going to be a drunkard." 

Some of the minor trials of a soldier's life are recorded in 
my letter of the 3d : — 

"I have not told you that when we left the boats here, old 
Bill, our negro cook, left us. I caught him selling whiskey 
to the soldiers contrary to orders, and confiscated his whis- 
key, with a sharp lecture which he took so seriously as to 
quit us without notice. Surgeon Walker has loaned us his 
boy Frank, and he has been doing the cooking under my 
superintendence, and we have n't been living so bad either. 
Frank and I get up some first-rate meals. I do the plain 
cooking, such as frying potatoes and meat, making hash, 
cooking rice, beans, hominy, etc., while Frank makes the 
pies, biscuits, etc. We are not in danger of starving while 
Frank and I have charge of matters! We used up the last 
can of fruits to-night for supper of the fine lot you and 



6o WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

mother sent us. I can assure you we relished them greatly; 
they come in very good place out here in the woods where 
our mess can't buy anything, and have to depend on the 
commissary supplies for all our eatables. Schoenfield is com- 
ing back to the regiment again, but you home-folks must 
not rob yourselves of fruits, preserves, apple-butter, catsup, 
etc., on our account!" 

On April 2 I write : — 

"I see by the newspapers that the great Waterloo is to 
take place up here in the vicinity of Corinth. Well, it has n't 
taken place yet, and you can rest yourself in the assurance 
that it will hardly take place for some time to come. We are 
resting quietly in camp, except that we have our daily drills 
and parades and an occasional review. To-day Major-Gen- 
eral Grant reviewed our entire division; the troops looked 
very well." 

In a letter dated the next day, the 3d, I write : — 

"The weather is very pleasant now. The trees are coming 
out In full bloom. I took a long ride out Into the country to- 
day; went as far as It was safe to go this side of the rebels. 
The woods are full of wild flowers; I got quite a bouquet 
which I would love to have presented to my wife, but she 
was not here to get It; maybe I may enclose you some of the 
violets I have among them." 

And yet notwithstanding the quietness and confidence 
prevailing In the army encamped at Pittsburg Landing, as 
indicated in these extracts from my letters, on the 2d of 
April the entire Confederate army under General A. S. 



THE BATTLE OF SHILOH 6i 

Johnston had marched from Corinth, and on the 3d, the day 
I took my "long ride into the country," it was within strik- 
ing distance of our camp, designing to make its united attack 
on Grant's army on the 5th. Being unexpectedly delayed 
one day, the rebel onslaught broke upon our lines at day- 
break on Sunday the 6th. Of the terrible two-days battle 
which ensued, I was able the night of the second day to 
write to my father a pretty full account: — 

"Pittsburg Landing, Tenn., 
"April 7, 1862. 

"Dear Father: — 

"Tired, worn out, almost exhausted, I have just brought 
the remnant of the noble Twenty-fifth Indiana back into our 
old camp from the front of the hardest-fought, most strongly 
contested, and bloodiest battlefield upon the American con- 
tinent. But I cannot lie down without first preparing a 
short account of it, to assure you of my own personal safety, 
the gallant conduct of our regiment, and the glorious triumph 
of our arms. A terrible conflict of two full days of continuous 
fighting has this evening left us in possession of the field 
which was at one time almost lost. 

"Yesterday (Sunday) moming,about6.30o'clock, just after 
we had finished breakfast, we were attracted by a continuous 
roar of musketry, with occasional discharges of artillery on 
our extreme left, near the river. In a few minutes we were 
in line of battle, and moving forward to the attack. We had 
hardly left the camp before we saw the roads full of our flying 



62 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

men, and all along the route for the two miles we passed over 
were strewn guns, knapsacks, and blankets, and we found, 
to our dismay, that our front had been completely surprised, 
one whole division scattered and retreating in utter confu- 
sion, and the enemy in force already a mile within our camps. 

"We were drawn up in line of battle, our brigade, under 
command of Colonel Veatch, in a skirt of timber bordering 
a large field, on the outer edge of which our troops were en- 
gaging the enemy. But the enemy pressed on in overwhelm- 
ing force, and just as the troops in front of us began to waver, 
we discovered that the enemy had flanked us on the right 
and was rapidly advancing (in what force we knew not, but 
the woods were perfectly swarming), to attack our brigade 
on the right and rear. So it became necessary for us to change 
our front to the rear to meet them. 

"The Fifteenth Illinois was on the right, the Fourteenth 
Illinois in the center, and the Twenty-fifth Indiana on the 
left, the other regiment, the Forty-sixth Illinois, by the rapid 
flanking of the enemy becoming detached from the brigade, 
was not with us again during the whole action. This brought 
the first fire upon the Fifteenth Illinois, which stood it nobly, 
but was soon overpowered; likewise, the Fourteenth. In the 
meantime the troops in front and on the left were completely 
routed by the enemy and came pell-mell right through our 
lines, causing some little confusion, and hardly had they 
passed through to the rear before the enemy were upon us, 
and here the fire of musketry was most terrible. 

"Our men tried to stand up to it, but everything was 



THE BATTLE OF SHILOH 63 

breaking to pieces all around us, and it was more than we 
could do, short of annihilation. We poured in a few well- 
directed volleys, and reluctantly left the field — many of 
our men firing as they fell back. The loss here was very 
heavy. All the field officers of the Twenty-fifth Illinois were 
killed instantly, and many commissioned officers; two of our 
lieutenants were killed and three wounded, and one of our 
captains is either killed or a prisoner. We will make thor- 
ough search for him on the field in the morning. 

"We left dead on this field fifteen men killed almost in- 
stantly on the first fire, and a large number wounded. At 
the first fire Lieutenant-Colonel Morgan was wounded in the 
leg (not seriously), and was immediately carried off the field. 
From this time I led the regiment in person. I did all! could 
to make the men contest the ground firmly as they fell back, 
and on the first favorable ground, about one hundred yards 
from the first line of battle, I planted the colors and mounted 
a fallen tree, and, waving my hat with all my might, I cheered 
and called upon the men to rally on the flag — never to 
desert their colors. 

"All of the left wing responded to my call most nobly, and 
rallied with considerable alacrity under a most galling and 
dangerous fire. I did not see Colonel Morgan fall, and sup- 
posed he had charge of the right wing; but the various cap- 
tains collected a large number of their men, and as soon as I 
got under cover of the regiments on the left and rear, they 
brought their men up and joined me, and I thus had still 
quite a battalion, notwithstanding the killed and number 



64 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

wounded, and the straying or lost ones. The men who came 
to me at this time had been 'tried in the furnace,' and were 
true men, and during all the trying scenes of the rest of the 
day and of to-day, they never faltered in obeying my com- 
mands, and did most bravely. 

"As soon as our brigade was collected. Colonel Veatch 
moved us over to the right to support General McClernand's 
division, which was being very hard pressed by the enemy, 
said to be commanded by Beauregard. The left, so our pris- 
oners report, was commanded by Bragg, and the center by 
Johnston. They also report that the column that attacked 
our brigade in the morning, of which I have just spoken, 
numbers twelve thousand, under Bragg, and that the whole 
force was near one hundred thousand; but we do not know, 
only that it was very large, sufficiently so to attack the entire 
line of our extensive camp in heavy force. 

"In the afternoon our pickets reported the enemy ad- 
vancing against us, on the left of General McClernand. As 
soon as we had drawn them well up by our picket skirmish 
under Captain Rheinlander, the Fourteenth Illinois flanked 
them, and was just beginning to pour upon them a heavy 
fire, while we were moving up to the assistance of the Four- 
teenth in fine style, when the whole mass of our left, which 
had, for five or six hours, been steadily and stubbornly con- 
testing the victorious advance of the enemy in that direc- 
tion, gave way in all directions, about half-past three, and 
came sweeping by us in utter and total confusion — cavalry, 
ambulances, artillery, and thousands of infantry, all in one 



THE BATTLE OF SHILOH 65 

mass, while the enemy were following closely in pursuit, at 
the same time throwing grape, canister, and shells thick and 
fast among them. 

"It was a time of great excitement and dismay — it ap- 
peared that all was lost; but I was unwilling to throw our 
regiment into the flying mass, only to be trampled to pieces 
and thoroughly disorganized and broken. So I held them 
back in the wash on the side of the road until the mass of 
the rout had passed, when I put my men in the rear of the 
retreat, and by this means fell into a heavy cross-fire of the 
enemy, but I preferred that to being crushed to pieces by 
our own army. Here we lost a number of our men killed, and 
many wounded. 

"Among those who fell, wounded badly in the leg, was 
Sergeant-Major William Jones, who had stood right by me 
fearlessly through the whole day. This rout decided that 
day's work. We were driven back nearly to the river landing, 
but the enemy kept pressing us in all the time, and, if, at 
this time, they had made a bold and united charge all along 
their line, we would have been totally and utterly routed; 
but a half-hour's apparent cessation of heavy firing gave our 
scattered forces time to rally, while the first two regiments 
of Buell's long-expected advance took position on the hill in 
the rear, and our forces fell back and formed with them near 
the landing for a final stand. 

"About five o'clock in the evening the enemy made a 
heavy charge and attempted to carry this position. The 
contest was most terrible — the roar of musketry was one 



66 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

continuous peal for near half an hour. All that saved us was 
two heavy siege-pieces on the hill and the firmness of our 
men on this last stand. Night closed in on us, with almost 
the whole of our extensive camps in the hands of the enemy. 
It was a gloomy night for us all, and to add to our discom- 
forts we had a heavy rain with no shelter. But we had saved 
enough ground to make a stand upon, and during the night 
twenty thousand fresh troops from Buell's army were trans- 
ported across the river, and Lew Wallace moved up his divi- 
sion from below on our right. 

"This morning at dawn of day began one of the grandest 
and most terrific battles ever fought. Buell moved forward 
on the left and center, and Wallace on the right, with their 
fresh troops, while Grant's army steadily followed them up 
and held the ground firmly as it was gained. From early In 
the morning until three o'clock In the afternoon the roar of 
musketry and artillery was one almost continuous thunder. 
It was grand beyond description. I have not time to tell you 
of It in this letter, and you will have it fully described In the 
newspapers. 

"The enemy fought with great desperation and steadiness, 
but Wallace continued to press them on the right, driving 
them to the left, and Buell pressing them on the left, driving 
them to the right, until they were getting completely out- 
flanked, when at three o'clock our brigade was ordered up 
to the front and center, and directed to charge the retreating 
enemy, but they traveled too fast for us. Nothing but cav- 
alry could reach them. We remained on the outposts till 



THE BATTLE OF SHILOH (fj 

evening, and then came in to get a good night's sleep in the 
tents of our own camp after the fatigues of a two days' steady- 
fight. The night Is terribly disagreeable — rainy and chilly 
— and tens of thousands of troops are sleeping on the bare 
ground with no covering, just as we did last night. 

"Indiana has borne an honorable part in the great bat- 
tle. I know that the Ninth, Eleventh, Twenty-fifth, Thirty- 
first, Thirty-second, Forty-fourth, and Fifty-seventh Regi- 
ments were engaged, and I think the Twenty-third and 
Twenty-fourth, with several others, I have no doubt, though 
I have been too busy on the field to know much of It — have 
not even had time yet to see Colonel Morgan or our wounded 
officers and men. The Forty-second was busy here to-day, 
but I hardly think It was In the fight, though It may have 
been. Thomson's Battery Is said to have done noble work. 
Aleck [brother of the writer] was busy with the trains and bag- 
gage — the enemy came right up to our tents — the camp 
was shelled; he had to move wagons and baggage to the land- 
ing. Did his duty well. But we are back again to-night. 

"I tried in this terrible conflict to do my duty well, and I 
am willing to leave to my officers and men the judgment. 

"I forgot to mention Colonel Veatch. He acted with 
great coolness and courage, always with his brigade In the 
thickest of the fight. He had two horses shot under him, but 
escaped unharmed. 

"I have written this hurried letter to you for the family, 
not the public. My deliverance was almost miraculous and 
I am grateful for it." 



68 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

After finishing the foregoing letter, I wrote a short one to 
my wife : — 

" My own dear Wife: — 

"Your husband is still safe and unharmed, though he has 
passed through a most terrible and deathful battle, the blood- 
iest ever fought on the continent. While it was terrible, it 
was grand. 

"I have just written a long letter to father, which is for 
you all. I would write you at length, but it is now past mid- 
night, and after two days of hard fighting and one rainy 
night of gloomy and fearful watching, I need rest. You will 
excuse me, will you not.f* 

"My dear Parke, God, our merciful Father, has been my 
shield and my protector; let us give Him all the glory. 

"Captain Dudley Smith [a relative of my wife] is badly 
(not mortally) wounded. His regiment fought next to us, 
and I shook hands of encouragement with him not five min- 
utes before he fell. Both his lieutenants and first sergeant 
were shot. 

"I believe, my dear, that God will continue to preserve my 
life for you and my dear child. Live in hope and faith. I will 
write a long letter soon." 

In the letter to my father, given above, I refer in com- 
mendation to my brother Alexander H. Foster, the regi- 
mental quartermaster. He rendered a most valuable service 
in saving all our camp and personal baggage. When during 
the first day's fighting it became evident that the battle was 



THE BATTLE OF SHILOH 69 

going against us, he brought up the wagons and loaded up all 
the company and headquarters baggage and outfit, and took 
them to the rear. The rebels occupied our tents on Sunday 
night, and would have plundered everything but for our 
quartermaster's though tfulness. He also displayed great dar- 
ing in keeping us supplied with ammunition during the first 
day's heavy fighting. 

Another incident respecting our tents may be noted. When 
attending the Harvard Law School, I had formed a very 
close friendship with a classmate from Alabama, Walter 
Bragg. I corresponded with him for some time, but lost sight 
of him when the war began. Years after he came to Wash- 
ington to fill an important official position. I learned from 
him then that on Sunday night of the Shiloh battle his regi- 
ment occupied the camp of the Twenty-fifth Indiana, and he 
slept in our headquarters tent. 

General Grant in his "Personal Memoirs" says: "The 
battle of Shiloh was the severest battle fought at the West 
during the war, and but few in the East equaled it for hard, 
determined fighting." General Sherman, in his "Memoirs," 
characterizes it as "one of the most fiercely contested of the 
war." 

The number of the Confederate forces engaged in the 
battle, as reported by Beauregard, was 40,955. Grant re- 
ports the Federal forces in the first day's fighting at 33,000, 
and that on the second day he was reinforced by General 
Lew Wallace with 5000 and from Buell's army with 20,000. 
The losses of the Federals were, killed 1754, wounded 8408, 



70 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

missing 2934. The Confederate losses were, killed 1728, 
wounded 8012, and missing 957. In my official report I 
placed the loss of the Twenty-fifth Indiana at 149. 

While the battle was recognized as a distinct Union victory, 
it was followed in the North by severe criticism of the gen- 
eralship displayed on the Federal side. Sherman says that 
"probably no single battle of the war gave rise to such 
wild and damaging reports"; and in his "Memoirs" Grant 
writes: "The battle of Shiloh or Pittsburg Landing has been 
perhaps less understood, or, to state the case more accurately, 
more persistently misunderstood, than any other engage- 
ment during the entire rebellion." 

The main criticisms were three in number: first, that no 
intrenchments or fortifications of any kind were made to 
protect the encampment; second, that our army was sur- 
prised; and, third, that the retreating enemy was not pur- 
sued. It is generally conceded that the encampment was 
well located for defense, as three sides were protected by 
the river and creeks full of water. Sherman, in discussing the 
first criticism in later years, said, "The position was naturally 
strong; ... we could have rendered this position impregna- 
ble in one night." General Force, in reviewing the battle 
after the close of the war, wrote: "The army had many 
things to learn, and the use of field fortifications was one of 
them." 

The charge that our camp was surprised was indignantly 
denied by both Generals Grant and Sherman, and they pro- 
duce statements of fact, not generally understood at the 



THE BATTLE OF SHILOH 71 

time, which seem to sustain their contention. But a different 
impression was generally prevalent In the camp. One of the 
most intelligent and daring of the Civil War correspondents 
was a young man writing under the nom-de-plume of "Agate," 
who became afterwards well known throughout the world, 
VVhitelaw Reid. He was on the battlefield during the two 
days' fighting and wrote lengthy reports of the battle. His 
contention was that it was a complete surprise. Years af- 
terwards he had a discussion on this matter with General 
Sherman, and in the course of it he cited my letter to my 
father, above quoted, to sustain his contention. 

Doubtless the rebel army would have been much more 
demoralized and have sustained great loss in military equip- 
ment and supplies, if it had been vigorously pursued. The 
greater part of Grant's army was so reduced and fatigued as 
not to be able to make an effective pursuit of the retreating 
Confederates, but Buell's army was not in that condition. 
Publications made after the war by Grant and Buell make 
it plain that there was want of harmony, if not an unfriendly 
spirit, that prevented the cordial cooperation which might 
have made the battle much more decisive. 

For some months previous to the battle of Shiloh General 
Halleck had been commanding the Department of the West, 
with his headquarters at St. Louis, from which place he was 
directing the movements of the armies. Immediately after 
this battle he came to Pittsburg Landing, arriving on April 
II, and, assuming personal command, he began the reorgani- 
zation and reinforcement of the army in the vicinity, for a 



72 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

march on Corinth, where it was understood the Confed- 
erates were concentrating. This step on his part had the 
effect of practically relieving General Grant from command. 

The news of the battle and heavy losses suffered by the 
Union forces awakened throughout the country great inter- 
est and sympathy, and from all the leading cities of the West 
located on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers steamers were 
chartered and dispatched to the battlefield, loaded with hos- 
pital supplies, volunteer surgeons, and friends of the sol- 
diers. A boat was sent from Evansville, and among the pas- 
sengers was my brother George, bringing letters from home 
and delicacies for the wounded soldiers of the Twenty-fifth 
and our mess. In a letter of the nth, four days after the 
battle, I wrote to my wife : — 

"I can assure you I was glad to see the Bozuen with a load 
of our kind friends after the terrible experience of the last 
week, and to know that the great patriotic heart of the Na- 
tion was going out in sympathy and in acts of mercy to our 
suffering wounded, who have been so sadly, cruelly neglected 
by our army general medical officers. I thank you and Eliza 
and Eleanor [my sisters] and our good friends at home for 
their presents. In our hard-fought battle of last Sunday the 
enemy drove us back clear behind our camp and rascally 
carried off or devoured all our eatables, and your delicacies 
came just in time to be fully appreciated. 

"I have n't seen Captain Smith since he was wounded. I 
suppose he has gone down the river in the boats. You re- 
member I wrote you we were on a court-martial together; I 



THE BATTLE OF SHILOH 73 

was finally excused from it to take command of our regiment. 
I saw Colonel Harlan [afterwards Justice of the United States 
Supreme Court; married Miss Shanklin, of Evansville] to- 
day. He was in good health. His regiment is lying near us, 
in the woods without tents. I meet a large number of ac- 
quaintances in the Indiana regiments of Buell's army. 

"I send by George a copy of my official report of the 
Twenty-fifth. Tell father I cannot have it published yet, but 
I thought he and our home folks would want to read it, but 
don't circulate it too freely. As soon as I can get the neces- 
sary consent, I will have both Colonel Veatch's brigade and 
my regimental reports sent home for publication. I am anx- 
ious that our regiment should have a fair share of the honor, 
as it had of the fighting. 

"Say to father and our friends that our regiment fought 
bravely and did itself and the State credit. I had the entire 
responsibility of the command. I believe I did my duty well; 
all assure me of It in the highest terms. I know I saved the 
regiment from disgrace and annihilation by a little daring ex- 
posure and vigorous encouragement of our men. This I write 
freely, but privately, to you and father. It is a great con- 
solation to me as a citizen to know I have done my duty, but 
it is a further gratification to know that my friends at home 
give me credit for It." 

On the 13th I write about the return of the steamer Bozven 
to Evansville : — 

"I was much out of humor because they let the boat be 
filled up with slightly wounded of other regiments, and left 



74 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

thirty or forty of our badly wounded Twenty-fifth in the 
hospitals at Savannah, to linger and suffer from neglect and 
bad treatment, and run the chance of getting home on the 
charity of other parts of the State. But I suppose the com- 
mittee in charge did what they thought was for the best; 
still, we are naturally sensitive and jealous for the comfort 
of our own men." 

In my letter of the 13th I speak of the difficulty of getting 
my letters. Officers and men of the regiment were constantly 
going and coming from Evansville on furlough or sick-leave, 
and they were often availed of to carry mail matter, as the 
mail was not regular, but I note one instance in which my 
letters by private hand did not reach me for thirty days. I 
tell my wife: — 

"When you can't have opportunities of sending letters to 
me by private means, send them by mail; they will get here 
afterwhile, and they are never old. Your letter of Sunday 
was seven days in coming. I have just received your three 
letters sent by Schoenfield. They were a little behind time, 
being dated March 14! but they were still very welcome. 
I received by him the 'Evangelist' and 'Independent.' I 
always like to get them, especially the 'Evangelist,' as it 
gives a little variety to my religious reading. 

"Colonel Morgan's father arrived in camp to-day, expect- 
ing to find the colonel nearly dead, and found he had gone 
home only slightly wounded. These newspaper reporters 
ought to be severely punished for their wicked and foolish 
exaggerations. The idea of reporting twenty thousand of our 



THE BATTLE OF SHILOH 75 

troops and forty thousand of the rebels killed and wounded 
serves only to fearfully excite the country, and is so very 
grossly absurd. It was a terrible fight, but not such as was 
reported in the first dispatches. These reporters see but lit- 
tle of the fight, hear a great deal, and tell all they hear and 
a great deal more. 

"I have nothing new to write, but thought you would love 
to hear after this terrible battle. Be cheerful, hopeful and 
patriotic." 

My letter of the 15th was in the most desponding tone 
since I had entered the service. It must be confessed it pre- 
sented a sorry picture of the 1046 stalwart men who left 
Evansville eight months before for the war: — 

"I enclose you an extract from a communication ad- 
dressed to our brigade commander. You will see from it that 
our regiment is pretty well used up, between sickness and 
the bullets of the enemy, having suffered more than any 
other regiment from Indiana in battle. In this condition of 
afi"airs, I feel constrained to ask that the regiment be some- 
what relieved. 

"Aleck has been troubled with camp dysentery, and 
wants to resign soon but I have been doing all I can to 
keep him up and in good spirits, and to stay with us." 

Col. James C. Veatch, 

Commanding Second Brigade, Fourth Division. 
StV; — 

Permit me to call your attention to the present condition of 
the Twenty-fifth Regiment, Indiana Volunteers. 

In the late action at Fort Donelson we sustained a loss in 



76 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

killed and wounded of one hundred and fifteen, and In the late 
battle of Pittsburg Landing of one hundred and forty-nine, 
making a total of two hundred and sixty-four. A number of the 
wounded have since died; a large number are entirely disabled 
for any military duty, and nearly all of the wounded will be 
unfit for duty for some time. 

There are now absent from the regiment, sick, three hundred 
and nine enlisted men, and sick in the regiment one hundred 
and thirty, making a total sick of four hundred and thirty-nine. 

I am left in sole command of the regiment, the lieutenant- 
colonel being wounded and the adjutant having resigned. Three 
of our most efficient officers were killed in the late action, and 
six of them severely wounded and disabled. Two of our cap- 
tains absent; one of them badly wounded at Fort Donelson, 
the other sick. Three other of our captains broken down with 
continuous sickness and hard service, and are asking that they 
may be relieved or resign. We now report only three hundred 
and eighty-seven men for duty. 

Under date of the i8th I write : — 

"It is now nearly two weeks since the battle, and our 
camp is again resuming Its quiet and accustomed ways, as 
If no terrible conflict had taken place over these grounds. 
All our wounded are gone, and are now in the hospitals at 
home. I hope they will be well cared for, as I am sure they 
will be. 

"We don't know how long we will stay here, or what are 
the intentions of the generals; but I think we shall remain 
for at least ten days. General Halleck will hardly move till 
he has his army so disposed as to make victory certain. He 
says, so it is reported, that enough lives have been lost here, 
and that he will accomplish the rest without much fighting. 
I suppose you all hope this will be the case. General Hurlbut 



THE BATTLE OF SHILOH 77 

says he will not take his division into the next battle, if he 
can prevent it, owing to its heavy losses in the late battle. 
In our regiment and the brigade every third man was either 
killed or wounded. 

"So you may rest in considerable quiet, as I think the 
probabilities of us having much fighting is very remote. But 
if it becomes necessary and we are called upon, we will do 
our duty; you would want us to do nothing less. I never 
expect to witness such another battle in my life; it was most 
terrible and grand. I could not describe it; it is only to be 
seen and heard. I had no conception of what a battle was 
before. The Fort Donelson fight was a mere skirmish by the 
side of it. You will preserve all things of interest in the 
papers, especially relating to our regiment in the battle; but 
there were so many regiments in the fight we do not expect 
to get much notice, especially as we have no reporters in 
our employ. I trust, my dear Parke, you will have confidence 
in my continued safety and health, wishing for a happy 
termination of our troubles and my speedy return, remem- 
bering that I will not expose myself or our regiment more 
than is essential to our duty, safety, and honor. I send many 
kisses to my darling little daughter." 

My letter of the 20th acknowledges the receipt of the first 
letter from my wife after the battle of Shiloh : — 

"You cannot know how glad I was to receive your letter 
of the I2th. I have read it over many, many times during 
the last two hours since I received it. When I read your 
letter and knew with what feelings of joy you learned of my 



78 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

safety, I could not keep back the tears. I have something to 
live for and something to encourage me to do my duty 
bravely, when I am assured of so dear and loving a wife and 
such good relatives and friends. I was very anxious to hear 
from you after the battle, and this was the first letter. I 
knew there would be great anxiety at home both for myself 
and the regiment, so I sent full particulars and list of the 
killed and wounded by the first opportunity." 

I have already given a copy of the letter I wrote my father 
the night after the second day's fighting. Although I cau- 
tioned him that it was only for the family, and not for the 
public, he was so much pleased with and proud of it that 
he let the newspaper men take a copy of it. The "New 
York Tribune," in publishing it on April 22, headed it with 
this comment: "The following account of the great battle, 
written by Major John W. Foster, of the Twenty-fifth 
Indiana, is the most clear relation we have yet met with." 
In my letter to my wife of the 20th I make this comment: 
"I was very sorry to see my letter to father in the news- 
papers. I did not want it published. I so stated to him. I 
don't want to blow my own trumpet. If the people at home 
can't learn of my exploits in some other way, it is better 
that they should not hear them at all. Don't publish any 
more of my letters unless I give my consent." 

But other accounts than mine were published. I make an 
extract from one of them written the day after the battle : 
"The Twenty-fifth has gained fresh renown, and can point 
to their thinned ranks as the record of their part in that 



THE BATTLE OF SHILOH 79 

dreadful fray. Colonel Veatch had two horses shot under 
him while commanding the brigade. Lieutenant-Colonel 
Morgan was wounded in the first fierce charge that brought 
down so many of his men. Major Foster was everywhere in 
the thickest of the fight, leading the charge or directing the 
backward movement. The men will follow those officers 
anywhere and Indiana may justly be proud of them." 

In my letter of the 20th, I report a proposed movement 
of our camp : — 

"Our old camp becoming unpleasant after the great 
slaughter of men and animals In the battle, we have been 
ordered to a new camp four miles nearer the enemy. We 
made our preparations, but a hea^y rain has delayed. 

" I think when Colonel Morgan rejoins the regiment, after 
we have whipped the rebels at Corinth and our men have a 
prospect of a little rest, I will have to manage to get sick ! — 
and by this means get a sick-leave of a month, and come 
home to see my little daughter to keep her from growing 
entirely out of my knowledge, and to enjoy the long-desired 
society of my dear wife and friends. But I won't set my 
heart upon It, neither must you, for the probabilities are 
we will have to finish up this rebellion before any of us can 
get home. Then I will come and make a lifelong visit with 
you; for it will take a very loud and patriotic call from my 
country to make me leave my family again." 

In my letter of the 21st I note an event which led to an 
important change in my military service. My wife had two 
brothers, younger than herself, Theodore, a student in the 



8o WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

senior class at the State University, and Alexander, then 
a clerk in the post-office at Evansville. When the war broke 
out Alexander (or "Zan") was very anxious to enlist, but 
he was only sixteen years old, and we refused our consent 
largely on account of his youth, and besides, as I was about 
to enter the service, I wanted him to stay at home to look 
after my wife and their mother. But after the successive 
victories at Donelson and Shiloh, and he heard from the 
returned soldiers about me, he became restless to join our 
regiment. I refer to him in my letter of the 25th : — 

" I sent Zan a telegram and also wrote him a letter yester- 
day, saying if Theodore could take his place in the post- 
office, I would have him made a lieutenant and assign him to 
duty as regimental commissary. But I do not want you to 
be left at home without one of the boys with you, while 
I am away, and he is not to come without the approval of 
father and his mother. 

"Another reason which has caused me to decide for him 
to come, on the above conditions, was that Aleck [my 
brother] has been a little unwell for some weeks, is getting 
tired, insists on going out of the service, and says he has 
only stayed on my account. He says if Zan comes he can act 
as commissary and he (Aleck) will stay a month until Zan 
gets posted in the business; and we can have him appointed 
regimental quartermaster. If Aleck goes home, as he seems 
determined to do, I would like to have Zan with me, as 
I don't fancy being here alone." 



V 

ON TO CORINTH AND MEMPHIS 
Evidently General Halleck's efforts to reorganize the army 
after the battle of Shiloh were having a salutary effect in the 
camp, as Indicated in my letter of the 2ist of April: — 

"We are having greater confidence in the army now. We 
think Halleck will manage affairs with much system and 
skill, and will not cause such needless slaughter of brave sol- 
diers as we had on the 6th. I am glad to see the public jour- 
nals exposing the wretched generalship which permitted a 
complete surprise of a large army, and Its almost complete 
annihilation. But matters will go on much better now. Sys- 
tem Is beginning to be apparent in every department, and 
care and foresight. If we only had a good, full regiment every- 
thing would go well with me, but we are sadly cut up. 
Sickness has weakened us very much, and the two last battles 
have seriously reduced us. Our officers from sickness, expos- 
ure and other causes are resigning; two of them go home 
to-morrow. My own health and spirits are very good, but it 
is a little discouraging to see the regiment so weakened." 

But I cannot end the extracts without a little glimpse at 
our home life, for which I so often express a longing in my 
letters. The Mr. Tubbs referred to was the bearer of my 
wife's letter: — 

"Mr. Tubbs said he called on you before he left and 



82 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

heard you play, and praised your music extravagantly. I 
hope you do not neglect your practice, as I want you always 
to be able to play as well as when we were married. He spoke 
of what a pleasant home I had; it made me want to be there. 
I was much moved at father's last letter in which he said 
I was always in the thoughts of the folks at home; that 
the little ones talked about me every day. How I wish I could 
be at home with them again to enjoy the company of the 
little ones, of my own Alice and the rest." 

After three weeks of waiting, recuperation, and reinforce- 
ment. General Halleck began the movement of his grand 
army against Corinth in the last days of April. General 
Grant places its number at 120,000. I reported this move- 
ment in my letter of May 3 as having already begun, and in 
anticipation of another battle I seek to quiet my wife's fears : 

"I wrote you of our change of camp, going four miles 
away from the river beyond Shiloh Church toward Corinth ; 
and we are now under orders to proceed to Monterey, five 
miles from this camp, so that to-morrow night we hope to 
be thirteen or fourteen miles from the river, and five or six 
miles from Corinth. But I think we shall not have a great 
battle for some days yet, for I think the enemy will wait 
for us to attack them In their intrenchments. 

"You must not be too solicitous if you hear of a great 
battle, or be too credulous of telegraphic reports. I will try 
to do my duty, and we will leave the result to our Heavenly 
Father, who has kindly been my shield and protector thus 
far through terrible dangers." 



ON TO CORINTH AND MEMPHIS 83 

On the 7th of May I write : — 

"We are all packed up in camp under marching orders 
to go two miles farther to the front, and are quietly waiting 
for the orders to move, so while we are waiting I will try to 
pencil you a little note at least." 

For the first time since I entered the army, with the excep- 
tion of temporary colds, I report a slight illness : — 

" I have been a little unwell for two or three days past, but 
we are having very pleasant weather to-day, and I shall soon 
be well again. I cannot afford to be sick at this time; I must 
wait at least till we get the enemy out of Corinth or wherever 
we meet them. I see by the papers that the reporters have 
got the enemy out of Corinth. It may be so, but we don't 
know It here." 

May 8 1 note the arrival at the camp of Alexander McFer- 
son: — 

"Zan arrived at the river night before last, but did not 
get out here till this morning. I sent a recommendation to 
Governor Morton this morning for his appointment, and he 
will go at once to work. 

"We are now fourteen miles from Pittsburg Landing, and 
six miles from Corinth. We are getting forward gradually; 
moved one mile to the front yesterday." 

The letter of May 12 says: — 

"We have been moving out slowly and by degrees from 
Pittsburg. We are now about eighteen miles from the river, 
and six miles from Corinth. Our pickets are within three or 
four miles of Corinth, and can hear very plainly the loco- 



84 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

motives whistle and the drums beat. We have various ru- 
mors of its evacuation, but can tell nothing of their truth. I 
think the enemy are still there. 

"I have come very near being quite ill for the last few 
days with fever, but fortunately have escaped and am nearly 
well again. We were called out in line of battle the other 
day by a false alarm, and I thought I must go out with my 
men, though I had a high fever; and standing out in the hot 
sun for two hours (and we have hot sun now) nearly laid 
me up permanently. It is the nearest I have come to being 
real sick since I have been in the service; but I am pretty 
well over it now, thanks to my strong resolution and Dr. 
Walker's good treatment. Dr. Walker says I have barely 
escaped typhoid fever. I have taken medicine quite freely. 
I cannot afford to be sick now; the enemy must first be 
driven out of Corinth." 

On the 1 6th I write: — 

"We move up slowly, and as we go we fortify our camps 
by a continuous line of breastworks of logs, brush, and earth- 
work. The newspaper reporters have kept you unnecessarily 
alarmed about the battle ^ which could not he delayed a day 
longer^ and yet it has been delayed for a month. When it 
is to come oif I do not know, or whether it is at all. We have 
for more than a week past been right in the face of the 
enemy's pickets, the men of our regiment fighting them all 
the time; and whenever it becomes necessary for us to move 
our camp forward, our pickets make a push on them and 
drive them back the required distance, rather obstinately 



ON TO CORINTH AND MEMPHIS 85 

however. The pickets are now about a mile in advance, and 
almost any time we can hear the rifles crack, and frequently 
they go by volleys. If the enemy are going to fight we can't 
go much farther. 

"Zan is in good health and doing well. He is the most 
anxious man in the regiment for a fight." 

In a previous letter I noted that Colonel Veatch had re- 
ceived his commission as brigadier-general, and that Gover- 
nor Morton was on a visit to the camps and we might expect 
our promotions soon. I had also reported Governor Mor- 
ton's visit to Fort Donelson after the battle there. He was 
one of the most distinguished civilians which the Civil War 
brought into public notice, and was especially esteemed for 
his services toward the soldiers. Many years after the war 
one of our Presidents, in a public address, said: "When his- 
tory definitely awards the credit for what was done in the 
Civil War, she will put the services of no other civilian, save 
alone those of Lincoln, ahead of the services of Governor 
Morton." 

I reported May 19: — 

"Governor Morton visited us yesterday and was warmly 
received by the boys. He told them he would make Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel Morgan colonel and me lieutenant-colonel for 
our services in the field, and the captains have voted for Cap- 
tain Rheinlander for major. I will get my commission to-day, 
and so you can address me as Lieutenant-Colonel Foster 
hereafter, and call me colonel, not major! 

"We are called out into line of battle now every morning 



86 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

at daylight, and some mornings we are out in line by three 
o'clock; thus, you see, we are determined not to be surprised 
again by the enemy, if early rising is to have anything to 
do with it. So I am writing my letter to you before sun- 
rise!" 

A short letter on the 22d says : — 

"I write you this note to say I will write you a long let- 
ter to-morrow, to assure you of my increasing health and 
strength, and to let you know we are still out of a battle. 
Since Captain Rheinlander has been made major, I can be 
relieved of a portion of the outside heavy work, and have 
the responsibility of the command divided. If Colonel 
Morgan was back again, I could take things comparatively 
easy." 

In the letter of the 23 d it is stated that the St. Louis, 
Chicago, and Cincinnati papers are now regularly on sale 
by newsboys, showing that the communication with the 
rear was well maintained, but I still want the Evansville 
papers, the magazines and the "Evangelist." I go more 
into detail in the method of our advances : — 

"We are slowly and safely approaching Corinth, making 
our way secure as we go. We have a heavy skirmish with 
the enemy's pickets; if they are obstinate we get out the 
artillery, throw a few shells into the woods, drive them back 
over a ridge into a hollow a half mile or so, then leave our 
camp equipage behind, and march out with guns, knapsacks, 
haversacks, spades, axes, and picks in hand and throw up 
breastworks on the ridge. When that is done we move up our 



ON TO CORINTH AND MEMPHIS 87 

camp equipage and remain In camp here for a day or more. 
Then we shove up the enemy's pickets again, and make 
another camp; and thus we are approaching the enemy's 
works. Our generals, I believe, are going to consult the lives 
of the soldiers In winning the next battle. The most of the 
people In the States seem anxious that the fight should come 
off in a hurry. If they had to do the fighting It might be 
different. 

"If Beauregard will really stand, he will surely be de- 
feated, though It may cost the lives of many brave soldiers; 
but the life of any of us Is nothing In comparison with the life 
and safety of the Nation. If it were not so I would not risk 
my life In the contest." 

Under date of May 29, I allude to a forward movement of 
the Twenty-fifth Indiana, similar to others previously made, 
but which, unknown to us at the time, was a general advance 
of Sherman and Hurlbut's divisions, and proved to be the 
last military demonstration against Corinth, as the enemy 
was then engaged In the evacuation of the place: — 

"We went forward yesterday with our brigade and drove 
the enemy back a mile, thus getting room for a new camp. 
To-morrow we all move up another mile, getting close neigh- 
bors with Corinth. 

"We were all glad to welcome Colonel Morgan back to- 
day, and I have been busy talking regimental matters with 
him. 

"The paymaster has been with us to-day, and I am send- 
ing you six hundred dollars. I want you to be at perfect lib- 



88 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

erty in using the money. Make your house and family com- 
fortable, live well and enjoy yourself. Consult father about 
the rent of the house, respecting which you wrote me. Don't 
let these business affairs worry you. Take the world easy." 

At last the grand march on the rebel stronghold of Corinth 
was over. My letter of June l says : — 

"I suppose there was at least one anxious heart relieved 
by the news which ought to have reached home yesterday 
that the rebels had evacuated Corinth, and concluded not 
to give us battle. So you, and the thousands of wives and 
relatives of our soldiers, can rest quiet for some time. After 
the long preparations and constant and watchful readiness 
we had maintained for battle, it was and is now a great 
relief for us to relax and take some comfort. For weeks 
men have been sleeping with all their accouterments on and 
their arms by their sides, and were ordered out in line of 
battle sometimes at midnight, or any other hour; but always 
at early daylight. It is a great relief to us all to lie down 
quietly now and sleep without being disturbed by the * long 
roll' or hasty orders from the generals. I have enjoyed the 
luxury of the good morning naps, waiting for the rays of the 
sun to waken me. Until last night I have slept with all my 
clothes on and in utmost readiness for a prompt turnout. 
I am thankful for good sleep now, and you are thankful 
that we had no battle. 

"None of our regiment has been killed, but several were 
wounded on picket and in the recent skirmishes. I have 
passed through several narrow escapes, but then 'a. miss is 



ON TO CORINTH AND MEMPHIS 89 

as good as a mile.' In the last skirmish three days ago, Dr. 
Walker and I were talking together, on horseback, discussing 
the close range the enemy had upon us with their cannon, 
while the shot would occasionally rattle through the trees, 
when an unwelcome visitor in the shape of a shell came whiz- 
zing along, and went into the ground right between our 
horses, tearing up the dirt at a fearful rate. The boys dug 
it out, and it was found that the rebels in their hurry had 
forgot to gouge the fuse, and fortunately it did not explode. 

"I rode into Corinth yesterday. The fearful ravages of 
war are visible on all sides, in the charred walls, solitary 
chimneys, smoking ruins, and waste all around. The rebels 
burned all their storehouses full of supplies, their magazines, 
armories, etc. In peaceful times the town was a very attrac- 
tive place. 

"General Hurlbut is said to be anxious to get the position 
of commandant of Memphis, and to march our division over 
immediately and occupy. It is uncertain whether he will 
succeed. My health, also Zan's, is good now." 

The escape of the Confederate army from Corinth, and 
the subsequent breaking up of Halleck's great army was a 
disappointment to the people of the North. Halleck's gen- 
eralship has been severely criticized by both Grant and 
Sherman in their "Memoirs." Grant describes the move- 
ment upon Corinth as "a siege from the start to the close" 
and says, "I am satisfied that Corinth could have been cap- 
tured in a two days' campaign commenced promptly on the 
arrival of reinforcements after the battle of Shiloh." Sher- 



90 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

man laments that "the advance on Corinth had occupied 
all of the month of May, the most beautiful and valuable 
month of the year for campaigning in this latitude"; and he 
adds that " by the time we had reached Corinth I believe 
that army was the best then on this continent, and could 
have gone where it pleased." 

While Buell's army was sent toward the east, Sherman 
and Hurlbut were sent west toward Memphis. Our regi- 
ment was destined to have no rest, as the day after we 
entered Corinth, June I : — 

"We received orders to support Sherman's division which 
had gone forward on the Memphis and Charleston Railroad 
toward Memphis. In half an hour we were in line of march, 
with two days' rations and no tents. We had a heavy rain 
that evening. The men marched two hours into the night, 
and then lay right down by the roadside on the wet ground 
and slept till morning. In the morning we went to work 
cleaning out and chopping the fallen timber from the rail- 
road, and then went into camp, and here we are now, five 
miles out west from Corinth. Our camp baggage was not 
all up for five days. 

"We have a very pleasant camp in a shady forest, every- 
thing to make us comfortable in camp but the wood-ticks , 
which are multitudinous, pestiferous, and unescapable; they 
have almost worried the life out of me by their biting. This 
country abounds in snakes, lizards, and all kinds of trouble- 
some insects. 

"I have taken a few rides out into the neighboring coun- 



ON TO CORINTH AND MEMPHIS 91 

try, and find it tolerably well settled, but the soil is very 
poor, the people likewise and very ignorant. Since we have 
been in this camp we have managed to get for our mess 
fresh milk, young chicken, eggs, green peas, onions, and let- 
tuce, which are great luxuries with us, who had had nothing 
but Government supplies and what we could get from the 
settlers. 

"We find very little bitter feeling or hostility exhibited 
toward us by the country people, and all willing and longing 
for peace. But the men are almost all gone, either in the 
army or afraid to trust us. They who did not volunteer have 
been forced into the rebel service by the conscription sys- 
tem, until there are hardly enough left to gather the wheat, 
which is now ready for harvesting. The farmhouses were 
full of women and children. They have no money but Con- 
federate scrip and 'shin-plasters.' How it makes their eyes 
sparkle to see our soldiers' silver and gold. But what is more 
desired by them than silver and gold is cofee. It very often 
happens that we are utterly unable to get their consent to 
sell one of the few remaining chickens on the farm with 
silver at high prices, but a pound of coffee will get the last 
old hen on the place. 

"We don't certainly know what is to be our future desti- 
nation, but it is seml-officially stated in camp that W. T. 
Sherman's and Hurlbut's divisions are to constitute the 
branch of the army which is to move on Memphis. We are 
anxious to go to that place, but our wish has nothing to do 
with it, as we are Government soldiers to be disposed of as 



92 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

our generals think best. There you see I have filled up the 
sheet with a matter-of-fact business-like letter, without as- 
suring you how much I long to be with you and at home. 
But I don't allow myself to think too much of these things 
or I would get homesick. I long with you for the war to end, 
that I may lay aside my emblems of the army, and return 
to my dear wife and child, and the comforts and enjoyments 
of civil life, but I must be patient." 

Some days later an undated letter says : — 

"I had thought of writing you a good long letter this 
morning, but all human hopes are vain. This morning we 
have marching orders for the west, and there is no time for 
letter-writing. We are not informed as to our destination, 
but the general impression among the officers is that we are 
bound for Memphis. Will you come down to see me there, 
or shall I jump on a boat and come up the Mississippi and 
Ohio and see you?" 

My next letter was written from Grand Junction, a sta- 
tion on the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, midway from 
Corinth to Memphis. The marching orders mentioned in the 
preceding letter were for Memphis, but on reaching this 
station our regiment was diverted from its course, as will 
be seen from the letter of June 20: — 

"We arrived here five days ago, but our brigade was sent 
on an expedition down to Holly Springs, thirty miles south 
in Mississippi, to destroy the Mississippi Central Railroad, 
which took us till last night: the rest of the army remaining 
here to support us in case of danger. We came back all safe. 



ON TO CORINTH AND MEMPHIS 93 

The march was a very rapid, but pleasant one, through a 
beautiful country and to one of the prettiest towns in the 
South. We hope to leave for Memphis to-morrow." 

This was the last letter written by me from the Twenty- 
fifth Indiana. On my arrival at Grand Junction I learned 
that Alexander McFerson, my wife's brother, was ill at 
Lagrange, a station on the railroad a short distance from 
Grand Junction. I at once hastened to his bedside, and 
found him suffering from a severe attack of typhoid fever, 
which was prevalent in the camps. Notwithstanding he 
received the most skillful medical attendance, the virulence 
of the disease soon placed him beyond human aid, and he 
died on June 27. 

I secured a furlough to take his body home. The regiment 
continued on its march to Memphis, and I went on my sad 
journey to Evansville, bringing the body of the young sol- 
dier to his bereaved mother and sister. The sequel shows that 
I never returned to the Twenty-fifth Indiana, with which 
I had passed through so many dangers and privations, and 
with whose men I had formed the deep attachment of soldier 
comradeship. 

The following editorial In the "Evansville Journal" of 
July 2, 1862, reflects the sentiments of all who knew him: — 

A telegram last night brought the melancholy news of the 
death of Lieutenant Alexander McFerson to his friends in this 
city. He died at Lagrange, Tennessee, on the 27th ult. at the 
age of seventeen. 

When he asked permission to join the army he said that he 
felt It his duty to go Into the service; that neither of his mother's 



94 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

sons were there, and he would never feel satisfied unless he did 
his share in putting down the rebellion. Less than two months 
ago he left his friends and home, buoyant in health, and with 
high hopes of a pleasant and useful career in the grand army 
of the Mississippi, having been appointed commissary to the 
Twenty-fifth Indiana Volunteers. But how soon those hopes 
are blasted, how soon that health is destroyed by a fatal dis- 
ease. In early youth, he is cut off. Young McFerson was a 
generous, noble youth, warm-hearted, and highly esteemed by 
the whole community, who will warmly sympathize with his 
bereaved friends in this hour of their affliction. 



VI 

GUERRILLA WARFARE IN KENTUCKY 

When I arrived at Evansville in July, 1863, on furlough, I 
found the border country on both sides of the Ohio River in 
Indiana and Kentucky in a state of feverish excitement. The 
counties of western Kentucky were overrun with Confeder- 
ate soldiers, who had secretly and singly passed through the 
military lines, and were engaged actively in the work of 
securing recruits for the rebel army, and, after mounting 
them on horses taken from loyal citizens, sent them back 
through the lines to the South. Guerrilla bands were roam- 
ing through these counties, terrorizing the Union men, and 
threatening to cross the Ohio. In fact, about the time of my 
arrival at home a small guerrilla force had occupied New- 
burg, a town nine miles above Evansville, and robbed the 
stores, striking terror into the inhabitants. 

As no regular forces were available for defense. Governor 
Morton had rushed several bodies of Home Guards to Evans- 
ville, and was organizing thirty and sixty days' men for serv- 
ice in various parts of Indiana, to serve until the Federal 
Government was able to protect the disturbed districts by 
regularly organized and armed troops. General Love, who 
had charge of these State forces, with his headquarters at 
Evansville, requested me to take command of these irregular 
levies, and occupy Henderson, the most important town in 



96 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

that section of Kentucky, ten miles below Evansville on the 
Ohio River, as a base for operations against these marauding 
rebels. This I consented to do, as a temporary expedient. 

On the 26th of July, a few days after we had occupied 
Henderson, Governor Morton repeated from Indianapolis a 
telegram from General J. T. Boyle at Louisville, command- 
ing the United States military forces in Kentucky as fol- 
lows: "Give the order to Lieutenant-Colonel Foster in my 
name to command at Henderson." As my furlough from the 
Twenty-fifth Indiana was about to expire, and neither Gov- 
ernor Morton nor General Boyle would listen to my inti- 
mation that I would have to rejoin my regiment, estimating 
highly the value of my military experience in the absence of 
other available officers, the Governor secured from General 
Grant an order detaching me temporarily from the Twenty- 
fifth Indiana, and authorizing me to continue in the service 
in Kentucky. 

I was clothed by General Boyle with the most drastic au- 
thority to put an end to the troubles in western Kentucky. 
The order above quoted by which I was placed in command 
at Henderson contained also the following instructions: — 

Order the officers in my name to kill every armed rebel offer- 
ing resistance and all banded as guerrillas. I want none such 
as prisoners. Order them to disarm every disloyal man. 

Only a few days after I was put in command by General 
Boyle. August 2, he sent the following telegram: — 

If officers and men do not obey my orders to shoot down the 
armed rebels, every bushwhacker, guerrilla, or banded villains, 



GUERRILLA WARFARE IN KENTUCKY 97 

our forces had better be withdrawn from the field. We can only 
save the State by putting them to the sword. I want none of 
them as prisoners. Take no oath or bonds. You will shoot 
down the scoundrels. 

These and other orders from him of like character which I 
quote will indicate the bitter spirit which prevailed at that 
time in Kentucky between the loyal and disloyal citizens. 
General Boyle was a native-born citizen of Kentucky. 

Immediately after I assumed command at Henderson I 
set to work to get the irregular and inexperienced forces col- 
lected there into such organized shape as would enable me to 
go out into the country to attack and drive out the rebel 
bands which were infesting that region. While engaged in 
that work, I was embarrassed by a civil duty which I had to 
face. A short time before my arrival an election had been 
held in Kentucky for city, county, and other officials. Gen- 
eral Boyle had issued an order regulating the election to 
this effect : — 

No person hostile in opinion to the Government will be al- 
lowed to stand for office in Kentucky. The attempt of such a 
person to stand for office will be regarded as in itself sufficient 
evidence of his treasonable Intent to warrant his arrest. In 
seeking office he becomes an active traitor, if he does not be- 
come one otherwise, and is liable both in reason and in law to 
be treated accordingly. All persons of this description In offer- 
ing themselves as candidates for office will be arrested and sent 
to these Headquarters. 

The election at Henderson had resulted in the choice of a 
mayor and city council, all of whom were sympathizers with 
the rebellion. On my arrival the mayor fled from the city. 



98 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

I telegraphed General Boyle: "The mayor of this city has 
left town without leave. Been absent a week. Strongly sus- 
pected of being among the guerrillas. The city council are 
secessionists in sympathy. Have you any action to direct?" 
He replied: "When mayor returns arrest him. If you deem 
proper arrest any of the council, and send all to Camp 
Morton. The men elected to office in Hopkins County I vAsh 
taken and sent in with others. Leniency and conciliation 
do no good. The scoundrels must be subjugated or killed." 

It was soon established that the mayor had fled through the 
lines and joined the Confederate forces, whereupon I sum- 
moned a meeting of the council and requested them to de- 
clare the office of mayor vacant, and each of them to take the 
oath of loyalty exacted of suspected citizens. Rather than 
take this action all the members of the council resigned. 
The city marshal likewise refused to take the oath of loyalty, 
and I declared his office vacant. This left the city without 
any civil government. 

I therefore Issued a proclamation as military commander 
of the post, assuming control of the civil aff'airs "until the 
loyal citizens shall have filled the offices with loyal men," 
and ordering an election to be held on a day designated. 
Meanwhile a citizen of Henderson was appointed by me 
provost marshal and furnished with a military guard to en- 
force order. My action in the matter was approved by my 
superior commanders. Thenceforth during my command in 
western Kentucky I had no trouble with the civil authorities 
of Henderson. 



GUERRILLA WARFARE IN KENTUCKY 99 

Having gotten my forces in a fair condition for a cam- 
paign against the guerrilla bands, I was about to make an 
expedition into the adjoining counties, when I received a 
report that the Confederate trooper John Morgan, with a 
large force, was just across the line in Tennessee and learned 
that one of his subordinates, Adam Johnson, a noted guer- 
rilla chief, was already in my district. Before moving, I in- 
quired of General Boyle as to Morgan's whereabouts, and 
he replied: "Morgan is near Gallatin. He cannot venture 
into your section. No danger from that source. Johnson is 
a great liar, as all rebels are. You can go where you please. 
Act on your own discretion. Shoot down the banded scoun- 
drels as guerrillas or as recruits for the rebel army." 

I had received reliable information that a considerable 
band of armed and organized rebels were quartered at 
Madisonville, the county seat of Hopkins County, about 
forty miles from Henderson, actively recruiting for their 
army and levying upon the loyal citizens for horses and 
supplies. With several companies of infantry and such force 
of cavalry as I could get (a mere handful), I embarked at 
night on a steamer, going up the Ohio and Green Rivers to 
within three miles of Madisonville, where we disembarked 
early in the morning, and moved toward the town, hoping to 
surprise the enemy. But we found them posted in a forest, 
heavily wooded and thick with underbrush, in the suburbs 
of the town. I ordered forward our skirmishers, who engaged 
them with a brisk fire, but before our line of battle could 
reach them they fled precipitately, mounting their horses 



loo WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

and scattering in every direction. The result of the skirmish 
was a few soldiers wounded and a number of the rebels as 
prisoners. 

We went into camp at Madisonville, and scouting parties 
were sent out in various directions. A few prisoners were 
brought in, but no banded rebels could be met with, as, being 
mounted on good horses and aided by resident sympathizers, 
they were able to get out of the way. During our stay some 
of our soldiers on picket duty were shot down, murdered in 
the darkness of the night, by persons claiming to be Southern 
soldiers, skulking behind rocks and bushes. We were Indig- 
nant at such warfare, and I issued a proclamation which was 
scattered throughout the county, denouncing this Irregular 
and barbarous warfare as contrary to the rules of civilized 
nations, declaring that the firing upon pickets, when no enemy 
was near, was cold-blooded murder, and giving notice that 
for every picket thereafter murdered one of the captured 
guerrillas In our hands would be put to death as a felon. I 
never had occasion to put this threat Into execution, and 
probably never would have done so, but the proclamation 
had its desired effect, and the killing of our pickets ceased. 

The expedition to Madisonville was heralded by the papers 
of Indiana as a great victory and magnified Into a battle, but 
to me who had so recently come from Fort Donelson and 
Shiloh It seemed a mere skirmish of slight proportions. I 
soon returned to the post at Henderson, leaving a small de- 
tachment at Madisonville to protect the loyal citizens from 
the depredations of the guerrillas. 



GUERRILLA WARFARE IN KENTUCKY loi 

On my return I found that a reign of terror existed in the 
adjoining county of Union; that the loyal officers recently 
elected were not permitted by the secessionists to act; that 
a returned Union soldier at home on furlough had been am- 
bushed and murdered; and that unarmed steamers on the 
Ohio had been repeatedly fired on from Uniontown. Report- 
ing these facts to General Boyle, I was authorized to levy 
on the secession sympathizers of the locality a fund for the 
support of the family of the murdered soldier. As to Union- 
town he telegraphed me: "If the rebels take any town on 
the river and use it to fire on boats, you will bum or demolish 
it. It would be well to bum down Uniontown, if it Is likely 
to fall into the hands of the rebels." 

I made an expedition Into Union County with a view to 
overawe the rebel sympathizers and place the loyal officers 
recently elected In the exercise of their duties. But It proved 
of no avail. The guerrillas easily got out of our way and the 
rebel residents denied all knowledge of them or of the parties 
guilty of the soldier's murder. The loyal officials were un- 
willing to attempt to assume their duties unless I would agree 
to keep a force of soldiers permanently at the county seat, 
and this I could not do with my Inadequate command. 

For the first month or six weeks of my Kentucky service 
I put forth as much activity as was possible with the forces 
I had, to destroy or drive out of my district the guerrillas 
and Confederate recruiting men, and I received the repeated 
thanks of Governor Morton and my commanding officer, 
General Boyle, for what I accomplished. But I encountered 



I02 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

considerable embarrassment in the exercise of my command. 
I was still lieutenant-colonel of the Twenty-fifth Indiana, 
then In General Grant's army on the Lower Mississippi, and 
the troops sent mto my district might be, and at times were, 
commanded by officers of higher rank than mine, and who 
according to the Army Regulations would displace me. It was 
the desire of both Morton and Boyle that I should continue 
in charge of the district, and they recognized that I deserved 
promotion. 

In a letter, dated September 19, Governor Morton wrote 
me as follows : — 

"I desire to say frankly that it would be very gratifying 
to me to have you remain in command of the forces at and 
in the vicinity of Henderson, if in justice to your own feelings 
and the interest of your own regiment, you could do so. The 
ability, energy, and sagacity you have thus far displayed is 
sufficient proof of your fitness for the command. But should 
you, on any account, feel embarrassed in your personal posi- 
tion, I cannot Insist that you shall remain; and, as to this, I 
beg you will exercise your own discretion. 

" It would afford me much pleasure to show my recogni- 
tion of your gallant, efficient, and faithful services, by pro- 
moting you to a colonelcy, and I should have done so before 
this, giving you one of the new regiments, had not orders 
from the War Department, a copy of which is herewith 
enclosed, prevented me from promoting officers connected 
with 'old regiments' to new commands. I regard you as 
entirely competent to lead a regiment, and your experience 



GUERRILLA WARFARE IN KENTUCKY 103 

and uniform good conduct in the field, in my judgment, 
fairly entitle you to promotion. The orders alluded to have 
embarrassed me very much, but the Secretary of War has 
announced them as inflexible." 

When it became apparent that I would have to rejoin the 
Twenty-fifth Indiana unless I was promoted, a way was 
found (how I do not know) whereby I was appointed colonel 
of the Sixty-fifth Indiana Infantry, a new regiment which 
had just been organized at Evansville. The Lieutenant- 
Colonel of the Sixty-fifth was Thomas Johnson, my uncle, 
who six months before had been forced to resign on account 
of ill-health. My promotion enabled me to continue in com- 
mand of the district of western Kentucky continuously until 
our forces were transferred to another field in the following 
year. 

The action on my part, during my command of the district 
of western Kentucky, which attracted the most attention 
and comment, was the enforcement of a money levy made 
upon the disloyal residents of Hopkins County to reimburse 
the Union citizens for losses sustained at the hands of the 
guerrillas. This action on my part was reported in full at 
the time to General Boyle and to Major-General Wright, 
commanding the department, and was unreservedly ap- 
proved by them. General Wright, in endorsing his approval, 
added: "A few such exhibitions of zeal and energy would go 
far toward breaking up the lawless bands, which have been 
so long a terror in that quarter, and restoring peace' and 
quiet in that section of Kentucky." Efforts were made in 



104 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

vain to the military commanders to have this levy revoked. 
Finally Hon. L. W. Powell, one of the Senators from Ken- 
tucky and a citizen of Henderson, after having failed with 
the War Department, visited President Lincoln in person, 
presented to him a list of the names of individuals assessed 
by me and the amount, and asked that in the exercise of his 
power as Commander-in-Chief of the Army he disapprove 
of the levy and order the money returned. 

The request of Senator Powell, with his list, was sent by 
President Lincoln through the military channels calling for 
a report from me. I quote the following from my letter to 
General Boyle, dated February i6, 1863, in reply: — 

"I am in receipt of the letter of President Lincoln, with 
your endorsement thereon, instructing me to report on the 
names contained in the paper submitted by Senator Powell. 

"You will remember that I made a full report of all my 
action in these matters at the time, giving in detail the con- 
dition of the country, the causes which led to my action, the 
amount levied, the manner in which it was distributed, and 
the effect which it has had upon the community. This report 
has been read by yourself and Major-General Wright, com- 
manding this department, and in all respects fully approved. 
I desire that this report be sent to the President. It was 
made upon my honor as an officer, and by it I desire that 
I may be judged. The money levied had been appropri- 
ated and paid out, as stated in my report, to the citizens 
of Hopkins County, who were the sufferers by the action of 
these very men and their friends, who ask the President for 



GUERRILLA WARFARE IN KENTUCKY 105 

redress. The money cannot now be refunded by them. I am 
the only person who should be held responsible, for if any 
wrong was committed it was through the action taken by 
me as set forth in my report. 

" I know that my action in the matter has had a most salu- 
tary effect upon the people, and Hopkins County is now en- 
joying a degree of peace and security which has not hereto- 
fore existed since the commencement of the rebellion. I trust 
my action may be approved by the President, as it has 
so flatteringly been done by yourself and Major-General 
Wright." 

As I relied entirely upon my previous report to General 
Boyle for my vindication, I make some extracts from that 
document: — 

"For more than three months previous to this levy, I had 
been laboring as earnestly as the force under my command 
would permit, in efforts to rid this part of Kentucky of the 
lawless bands of guerrillas. They had succeeded in breaking 
up the civil organization in all the counties lying between 
Green and Cumberland Rivers; forcibly preventing the ad- 
ministration of the laws; stopping the mails; robbing peace- 
able citizens on the public highways, causing loyal men to 
flee from their families and homes; plundering them of 
horses, arms, goods, and anything of value that their com- 
fort required, or fancy demanded; interrupting the naviga- 
tion of the rivers by firing into unarmed steamers; and were 
engaged in carrying on a warfare, cowardly and cruel, and 
entirely unwarranted by the rules of civilized nations. 



io6 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

"These bands of guerrillas were mounted on the best 
horses In the country, stolen from the citizens; they were 
active and wily, and thoroughly acquainted with the by- 
ways and hiding-places; and were supported by vigilant 
friends on every side. I found it very difficult to drive them 
out. And one great obstacle to this was the fact that they 
were supported, encouraged, and harbored by the friends 
and sympathizers of the rebellion, who were enjoying the 
possession of their property and their homes under the pro- 
tection of the Government, while very many loyal citizens 
were driven from their families, and their homes plundered 
by these armed robbers. The guerrillas possessed not a single 
tent, and made no arrangements for a commissariat, yet 
they never wanted for a friendly roof to shelter them and 
were bountifully supplied with cooked rations. Wherever 
they went they were encouraged by hearty welcomes and 
approving smiles. They never could be surprised in their 
hiding-places or overtaken in their flight, because some 
sympathizers, enjoying the Immunities of the Government, 
would go before and warn them of our approach. I had ex- 
erted myself to drive out these bands and restore peace to 
these counties and had only partially succeeded. I had time 
and again warned the secession sympathizers that if they 
continued to harbor, feed, and encourage these plunderers 
and assassins, I would be compelled to hold them responsible; 
that Union men, on account of their patriotic faithfulness 
to the Government in this time of public distress, should 
not be driven from their homes, their property carried away, 



GUERRILLA WARFARE IN KENTUCKY 107 

and their lives endangered, without some compensation for 
their losses. They were daily making their complaints known 
to me, some loyal farmers having lost their last horse, not 
one being left to gather the corn, or till the soil. Others had 
their stores or houses plundered. The secessionists were liv- 
ing in the peaceful enjoyment of their homes, and the un- 
disturbed possession of their property. 

"The county of Hopkins was one of the strongholds of the 
guerrillas and their friends; they were numerous, active, and 
bold. After consulting with the most prominent Union men 
of the county as to the proper course to pursue, I organized 
the expedition, a partial report of which I gave you, in which 
I succeeded in scattering, capturing, or driving away all the 
organized bands in that county. Then in order to give peace 
in future to the county, I determined to carry out the threat 
I had so often made to the aiders and harborers of the 
guerrillas by holding them responsible for the depredations 
committed by their lawless friends. I accordingly made a 
money levy upon every prominent harborer or sympathizer 
of the guerrillas that I could reach, making the assessment 
against each individual in proportion to his property and 
support or countenance of the traitors. The amount so lev- 
ied and collected has reached the sum of thirteen thousand 
three hundred and thirty-five (^13,335) dollars. This fund 
I have caused to be paid over to an upright, loyal, and re- 
sponsible citizen of Henderson, Kentucky. I have appointed 
a committee consisting of men of acknowledged probity, in- 
fluence, and responsibility of Hopkins County, who are 



io8 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

thoroughly acquainted with the people of the county. I have 
placed the matter entirely in the hands of citizens, remov- 
ing it as far as possible from the control of the military. I 
have made it the duty of this committee to investigate the 
losses sustained by Union citizens of Hopkins County 
through the agency of the guerrilla bands, and to compen- 
sate them out of this fund in proportion to their necessities 
and losses." 

My report was forwarded through the War Department 
to President Lincoln and approval of my action was made 
by the endorsement of the President in his own handwriting. 
Nothing further was heard through official channels of the 
levy. 

The town of Smithland at the mouth of the Cumberland 
River was in my district, and as it was an important depot 
for supplies for the forces operating at and through Nash- 
ville, I was required to maintain a force there, and I was 
often called there in discharge of my duties. Under date of 
November i, I received a letter from General Boyle enclos- 
ing two orders from Major-General Wright, one placing 
under arrest and ordering a court-martial for the major 
commanding a detachment of a Wisconsin regiment sta- 
tioned at Smithland, and the other ordering the detachment 
to be sent away to another army. It appears that the major 
enforced very little discipline and that the troops were in- 
flicting all kinds of outrages and terrorism on the residents. 
I was directed to take with me one or more companies of 
Indiana troops for a garrison. He added: "I think, if prac- 



GUERRILLA WARFARE IN KENTUCKY 109 

ticable, you had better go down in person to Smithland. The 
citizens are apprehensive of an outbreak and great wrongs 
to them, on finding that the Wisconsin troops are ordered off 
and the major placed under arrest. You will take prompt and 
decisive steps to prevent anything of the kind, even if you 
shall be under the necessity of using the musket or bayonet 
for the purpose. Exercise prudence but firmness." 

I encountered no difficulty in executing my orders. The 
major quietly accepted his arrest, the disorderly troops were 
sent away, and the garrison of a portion of my Sixty-fifth 
Regiment gave the citizens assurance of order. 

Some time after this visit I was again called down to 
Smithland, but for a very different reason. The emancipa- 
tion of the slaves, brought about by President Lincoln's 
Emancipation Proclamation, was greatly resented by many 
of the Union men of Kentucky. Upon the publication by 
President Lincoln of the notice of his intended action on 
September 22, 1862, quite a number of the officers of Ken- 
tucky regiments in the Federal army resigned their commis- 
sions and returned home. Others, while remaining loyal to 
the Government, deeply regretted the President's action, 
and General Boyle was among them. Large numbers of 
slaves escaping through the lines from Tennessee sought 
refuge within our encampments. In November, I received 
the following letter from General Boyle: "Do not allow negro 
slaves to come Into your lines. All such must be turned out 
and kept out. Have nothing to do with negroes. Let them 
go. You will see that your command attend to this matter. 



no WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

I am anxious that Indiana troops especially have nothing 
to do with slaves." 

I sought to have this order observed by my command, 
distasteful as it was to many, and General Boyle commended 
me for my action, but called attention to the non-observ- 
ance of the order, especially at Smithland, and asked me to 
give It my personal attention. I wrote my wife under date 
of January 25, 1863: "I shall have to go down to Smithland 
again to-morrow. Considerable complaint Is made about 
Major Butterfield on the negro question ; Governor Robinson 
of Kentucky complaining to General Boyle and the general 
referring the matter to me. This eternal negro question is a 
perfect nightmare to our loyal Kentucky patriots. We have 
to humor them amazingly. I try to act prudently, but I 
sometimes get vexed and disgusted." 

I have already noticed various occupations in which I 
have been engaged other than of a strictly military service. 
While in command of the district of western Kentucky I was 
ordered to go with a suitable force to the Cumberland River, 
midway between Smithland and Nashville, where the rebels 
had obstructed navigation by sinking barges loaded with 
stone in the channel. With vessels suited for the purpose, I 
spent two weeks in cleaning the channel for navigation. I 
sent my wife a Christmas greeting by telegraph from this 
point, reporting my success, and also that we had captured 
thirty guerrillas. 

During the greater part of my service in Kentucky I had 
been much hampered by the lack of a sufficient force of 






GUERRILLA WARFARE IN KENTUCKY in 

cavalry to enable me to pursue and hunt down the guerrillas. 
After continued efforts in that direction, I received the fol- 
lowing Special Order from General Boyle's headquarters. 
"Colonel John W. Foster is hereby authorized to mount the 
Sixty-fifth Regiment Indiana Volunteers to be used as 
mounted infantry. The Quartermaster's and Ordnance De- 
partments will furnish the necessary horses and horse equip- 
ments upon Colonel Foster's requisition." After my regiment 
was mounted and fully equipped, I had little trouble in 
clearing the country of guerrillas and giving peace: to the 
Union citizens. 

I was greatly grieved in January, 1863, to receive a letter 
from my wife telling me of my father's falling health. He had 
always been a devoted parent to his children, but he had 
doubly attached me to him at the opening of the war In pa- 
triotically encouraging his boys to enter the army, with the 
assurance that he would look after and care for their families. 
He wrote me frequent letters, and no day passed without a 
visit from him to my house to Inquire for the health and 
needs of my wife and child. I wrote my wife: "Your letter 
made me sad when I read of father's poor health. I wish I 
was at home to comfort him somewhat and to aid him In his 
business. You will do all you can to make his time pleasant. 
He thinks much of you. Visit him often, and let Alice go 
over to see him whenever he wants her or she wants to go, 
and teach her to be affectionate to him. These little acts of 
kindness will gratify him in his feeble health and declining 
years." 



112 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

My father's ill-health continued after the date of this let- 
ter, but I was afforded the opportunity of visiting him several 
times and doing what I could to comfort him in his last days. 
On April 13, 1863, he passed away. An account of the man- 
ner in which he met death is recorded in the "Biography of 
Matthew Watson Foster," pp. 81-83. 

Fortunately for the human race, our sorrows and our joys 
follow each other, often In quick succession. Two weeks after 
the death of my father, while on an expedition into the in- 
terior of my district In pursuit of guerrillas, I received in- 
telligence of the birth of our second child, Edith. She was 
our "war baby," but she proved the harbinger of peace. 
Blessed with a sweet and even temper from her birth, she 
has spread peace and sunshine In her path through life. 

Although my field of military service was so near to my 
home, I did not cease to long for the time when I might re- 
turn to my family. Writing to my wife on a Sabbath day, 
January 11, 1 say: — 

"Oh, when will this terrible war be over, so that we may 
spend our Sabbaths together as we have In the past, so 
peacefully, so pleasantly, so profitably? It has always been 
one of my greatest privations in the army that I was away 
from my family and Sabbath Church enjoyments. God in 
his own good time will give us peace, and return us to our 
Christian privileges and our home blessings. I can't help but 
wish I was at home, and wish it every day, and that circum- 
stances were such that I might come with honor. I trust that 
time may come soon. But I do not want to dishonor all I 



GUERRILLA WARFARE IN KENTUCKY 113 

have done by leaving at present. I want first to see the war 
looking toward its close." 

I wrote the following brief epistle to my wife in a jocose 
spirit: "For the love I bear you, I herewith enclose to you 
the fruits of my toil, danger, privations, and glory for the 
past two months, ^381.65, according to the estimate of my 
services by the paymaster." 

I have referred to the embarrassment and trouble which 
came to me soon after I assumed command at Henderson 
by the condition of the State elections and the rebel civil 
officials. Another annual election occurred just before the 
close of my service in 1863, and I was required by General 
Boyle to see that his orders were enforced. In addition to the 
order that no one who was not in all things loyal to the State 
and Federal Governments should be allowed to be a candi- 
date, a further order was issued which made it the duty of the 
judges of election to allow no one to vote unless he was known 
to them to be an undoubtedly loyal citizen or unless he 
took the "iron-clad" oath of loyalty prescribed by the State 
law. It was made the duty of the military authorities to see 
that these orders were enforced. I did not have a sufficient 
force to station a detachment at every voting-place, but I 
scattered the military election proclamation broadcast, and 
had a force at a number of the leading voting-places. 

In one of the Congressional districts within my command 
I had a peculiar condition. The regular or State Union can- 
didate was opposed by a prominent citizen, who had stood 
by the Federal Government at the beginning of the rebellion, 



114 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

had raised a Federal regiment, and had fought gallantly at 
Donelson and Shiloh. But after the President's announce- 
ment of the Emancipation Proclamation, he resigned from 
the army and returned to Kentucky to array himself with the 
peaceful opponents of the Administration. He was permitted 
to make a canvass of his district without any interference by 
the military, and at the election none of my command found 
it necessary to interpose. But the fact was that many who 
would have supported him at the polls abstained from vot- 
ing because they were unwilling to take the "iron-clad" 
oath. Although the State Union candidate received a de- 
cided majority of the votes, his seat was contested by his 
opponent on the ground, among others, of military inter- 
ference with the election, and my name was freely used in the 
debates; but the Union candidate was seated by Congress. 
In the course of the debate, the Union candidate, referring to 
the attacks upon me, said: "Colonel Foster's services pro- 
tected all that region of Kentucky, my home, the contest- 
ant's home, from rebel and guerrilla outrage and depreda- 
tion. Without those services the courts could not have been 
held nor the laws administered in a large district of country. 
He afterwards led a brigade with brilliant success in East 
Tennessee. And the contestant will not forget that day on 
the banks of Green River, when he and I waged a bloodless 
battle of words about politics in stone's throw of where 
Foster and his gallant Hoosiers stood in battle order, expect- 
ing John Morgan and his avalanche of cavalry." 
During my year's service in Kentucky my command was 



GUERRILLA WARFARE IN KENTUCKY 115 

frequently disturbed and put In battle array by reports from 
time to time that the rebel General Forrest or John Morgan 
was about to enter my district with a large force of cavalry. 
These reports were so frequent and unfounded that we be- 
came incredulous, but Morgan finally did come Into Ken- 
tucky with quite a formidable force. General Boyle early 
notified me of his presence in the State, and that he might 
seek his way out by crossing Green River and passing through 
my district Into Tennessee; and I was ordered to move my 
entire command to Green River, remove or destroy all the 
boats, and give him battle if he came my way. 

But Morgan had other schemes on hand. At noon July 
9, 1863, General Boyle telegraphed me that Morgan had 
crossed the Ohio River into Indiana some distance below 
Louisville with a cavalry force of four thousand men. I 
was ordered to secure transports and put my command on 
board to move up the river. At 9 p.m. the same night I 
received the following from Boyle: "Morgan may deflect 
west and try Evansville. I think he will move on New 
Albany. Gather your men, seize boats, and come up river. 
Send out scouts on Indiana side to learn of enemy's move- 
ment. Direct your movements accordingly. Attack and 
fight Morgan wherever he can be met." About the same time 
I had telegraphic advices from Governor Morton of Mor- 
gan's presence in Indiana, and that he was likely to move 
toward Evansville. 

When I received these orders and the information that 
Morgan had crossed the Ohio River into Indiana, In accord- 



ii6 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

ance with previous instructions I was with my entire com- 
mand on Green River awaiting an expected attack from 
Morgan in that locahty. I at once crossed Green River on 
the night of the loth en route for the Ohio, but did not reach 
its banks until the night of the nth, by which time Morgan 
was well on his way toward the State of Ohio. I was there- 
fore not to share in the pursuit of this noted raider. 

I returned with my command to Henderson and redis- 
tributed them at various exposed places in my district. But 
this proved the end of my military operations in Kentucky. 
General Burnside had been ordered from the East to assume 
command of the Department of the Ohio, and was preparing 
the concentration of his forces for a movement for the relief 
of the loyal people of East Tennessee, and I felt sure my regi- 
ment would be included. Hence I was not surprised to re- 
ceive orders on the yth of August, 1863, to move the Sixty- 
fifth Indiana Mounted Infantry to Glasgow, from which 
place Burnside's movement was to begin. 

I was quite satisfied at this change. As early as February 
I had made a visit to Louisville to ask General Boyle if he 
could not give me a more active service. The guerrilla war- 
fare which I was carrying on was of a very unsatisfactory 
and unprofitable kind. My troubles with the disloyal citi- 
zens and the civil duties as to officials and the elections were 
not to my taste. As a soldier I longed to be relieved from 
these unwelcome duties, and to bear my share In the real 
military campaigns of the war. During my year's service In 
the district I had received the warmest exhibitions of friend- 



GUERRILLA WARFARE IN KENTUCKY 117 

ship from the Union citizens of Henderson and that region. 
Being stationed so near to my home, my wife often visited 
me, and these kind-hearted citizens always insisted on mak- 
ing her their guest. I received various testimonials of their 
esteem, among others a beautiful jeweled sword, sash, and 
belt. When it became known that my regiment was to be 
ordered away, an earnest petition was sent to General Boyle 
asking our retention, signed by all the Union citizens, headed 
by ex-Governor and ex-Senator Dixon. 

Hon. Thomas E. B ramie tte. Governor of the State of Ken- 
tucky, wrote President Lincoln, asking that I might " be re- 
tained in western Kentucky in charge of the defenses of that 
section. I have recently passed all through western Ken- 
tucky and find from personal observation the immense good 
which the vigilant and successful military guardianship of 
Colonel Foster has done for that section." General Boyle, 
in a letter to the Secretary of War, said: "I beg to say that 
Colonel J. W. Foster is one of the most vigilant, active, and 
useful officers in the volunteer army. He is a man of the first 
order of ability, with capacity to fill almost any place in the 
service, and no man known to me has done better service 
than Colonel Foster." 

In an editorial notice of some length the "Evansville 
Journal," in noticing the departure of the Sixty-fifth Regi- 
ment, said: — 

While we are glad the gallant boys of this excellent regiment 
are about to be 'afforded an opportunity to engage in more 
active service, and to see some of the excitement of war on its 



ii8 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

grander scale, yet we cannot help regretting their departure 
from our vicinity. For a year past the people along the border 
have felt that the Sixty-fifth was a wall of safety, a mountain 
of rocks between them and the guerrillas. Colonel Foster during 
his administration of affairs in the Green River region, has won 
not only the admiration of the friends, but also the respect of 
the enemies, of the Government. 



1 



VII 

THE EAST TENNESSEE CAMPAIGN 

No portion of the people of our country had shown more 
devotion to the Union or suffered greater hardships on ac- 
count of their loyalty during the Civil War than the citizens 
of East Tennessee. Almost the entire population of mili- 
tary age had fled over the mountains into Kentucky and en- 
listed in the Federal army. And those who remained — the 
old men, the women and the children — endured many pri- 
vations and much persecution. It had long been the desire 
of the Federal Government to occupy East Tennessee with 
troops and free the loyal people from their oppression, and 
President Lincoln in 1863 determined that this relief should 
no longer be delayed. 

The army under General Burnside numbered approxi- 
mately twenty thousand men, a force which it was thought 
was sufficient for the purpose In view of the fact that Gen- 
eral Rosecrans with a much larger army was moving from 
middle Tennessee toward Chattanooga and northern Georgia. 
In a letter to my wife from Glasgow, dated the i8th of Au- 
gust, I say : — 

"We arrived here yesterday. Found marching orders for 
this morning to go to Burksville with our brigade. The 
brigade left this morning, but I got permission to stay over 
to-day to shoe horses and more fully equip the regiment. The 



I20 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

indications are that the cavalry division will go direct to 
ELnoxville, after a few days' delay at Burksville." 
From Ray's Cross Roads, I write on the 20th : — 
"We reached here yesterday. How many days we will re- 
main I do not know. We are anxious to move forward, want- 
ing to get into East Tennessee as soon as possible. I drilled 
my regiment to-day, had a good dress parade, and made a 
very fine appearance. I think there is no regiment in the 
corps that will make a better show. It attracts very general 
attention. We are stopped here waiting for the supply trains 
to come up. If it were not for the stomachs of men and horses 
an army could accomplish wonders. Kiss little Edith for me 
and tell Alice her papa thinks of her very often and loves her 
very much." 

A letter the next day from the same place says : — 
"We leave at 11 a.m., camp to-night at Marrowbone, to- 
morrow at Burksville, thence to Albany and Jamestown, 
Tennessee. I am well and in good spirits. Do not be uneasy 
if you do not hear from me very soon again, as we shall prob- 
ably draw in our couriers and close our line of communication 
to-morrow. The Twenty-third Army Corps has one cavalry 
division of three brigades, each brigade consisting of four 
regiments and one battery; also one Independent brigade of 
cavalry. The second brigade Is the one in which is our regi- 
ment, and is commanded by Brigadier-General Hobson. 
You see we have a very strong force of cavalry, with which 
we can overrun the whole of East Tennessee and a good part 
of North Carolina, if we can ever get through the gaps and 



I 



THE EAST TENNESSEE CAMPAIGN 121 

over the mountains, and can manage to take along with us 
our supply of forage and rations. 

"General Hobson is absent from the brigade sick. I am 
the senior colonel of the brigade, and in the absence of the 
general, I will be entitled to command. Before I arrived, 
Colonel Graham, Fifth Indiana, was commanding, and as I 
had even more than I could well attend to, and as General 
Hobson was expected soon, I did not ask for the command, 
and will not do so unless I learn that General Hobson will 
not be able to join us soon. My regiment is the largest (and 
I think the best) in the brigade, having eight hundred and 
fifty fighting men with us." 

On August 28, I wrote : — 

"We have been here in the vicinity of Jamestown for a few 
days. We are out of forage for our horses, and have to get 
green corn and what hay, straw, and oats we can find, feed- 
ing them also on wheat and rye. We are up on the top of the 
mountains, and the soil is very poor, the farms small, and 
there is little forage of any kind; consequently, if we stay 
here much longer we shall be driven to pretty close straits for 
our horses and possibly for rations for ourselves. We are 
already short and very little prospect of any soon, but as 
long as there is green corn the men will not starve. The 
route from Glasgow is very hilly and rugged, and we had 
great difficulty in getting our wagons over it. We are now 
up on the level of the mountains where it is not so hilly. 
All the country is very poor, and the only good features about 
it are that it is healthy, has good water, and a goodly number 



122 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

of Union people. I will take command of the brigade to-day, 
as General Hobson is still sick at home. When we are so 
straitened for forage and rations the responsibility is great 
and the task not a very desirable one." 

My next letter dated September 2, gave an account of our 
occupation of Kjioxville, the goal of our long march over 
the mountains : — 

"Yesterday was the proudest day of my life. Sunday last 
Generals Burnside and Curtis came up and a juncture of the 
forces was formed at Montgomery. My brigade arrived at 
that place on Saturday in advance of all other. On Sun- 
day afternoon General Burnside sent for me to report, and 
I received orders to move my brigade five miles to the front. 
This seemed to indicate that I would be permitted to keep 
the advance and we were all well pleased. But about day- 
light the First Cavalry Brigade marched past us and out to 
the front on the Kingston road, and we had no orders to 
move. At sunrise, the Third Cavalry Brigade (General 
Shackelford) passed by and out to the front toward the 
reported enemy on the Kingston road. I began to be impa- 
tient and somewhat disgusted. I waited for two hours more 
very anxiously, but no marching orders came. 

"At nine o'clock Generals Burnside and Curtis, with their 
staffs and escorts, came up and I thought then we were to 
go clear to the rear. But they halted at my headquarters, 
came in, and after examining the organization of my brigade. 
General Burnside held a private interview with me, in which 
he told me he wanted me to take my brigade on the Knox- 



THE EAST TENNESSEE CAMPAIGN 123 

vllle road and force Winter's Gap, which would flank the 
enemy on the right and compel them to fall back, when, if 
matters went on smoothly, he would give me orders to push 
right on to Knoxville. Nothing could have suited me better. 
I would rather then have had those orders than to have re- 
ceived the commission of a general. So at 1 1 o'clock I formed 
my brigade, and, leaving every one of our wagons behind, 
marched to Winter's Gap, arriving there at sundown and oc- 
cupied it, finding that the enemy had fled in the morning. 
I reported promptly to General Bumside, and about four 
o'clock yesterday morning I received orders to push on 
into Knoxville and occupy the town, attacking any force of 
rebels which might be there. 

"We were in motion within an hour, and all along the 
road, as everywhere heretofore in our march through East 
Tennessee, we were received with the warmest expressions 
and demonstrations of joy. In the morning I expected that 
I would not be able to take the town without a fight, but 
as my brigade had been assigned the post of honor, I was 
satisfied it would do its full duty. A few miles before we 
reached the town we ascertained that the rebels had all left, 
the last of them that morning. The Fifth Tennessee Cav- 
alry, which was in the advance, surrounded the town, and 
about four o'clock yesterday afternoon I rode into town with 
the staff and escort, and such an ovation as we received 
was never before during this war given to any army. The 
demonstration beggars all description. Men, women, and 
children rushed to the streets, — no camp-meeting shouting 



124 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

ever exceeding the rejoicing of the women. They ran out 
into the streets shouting, 'Glory! Glory!' 'The Lord be 
praised!' 'Our Savior's come!' and all such exclamations. 
The men huzzahed and yelled like madmen, and in their 
profusion of greetings I was almost pulled from my horse. 
Flags long concealed were brought from their hiding-places. 
As soon as I could get to a hotel I was waited upon by the 
mayor (a true Union man) and a large number of loyal men, 
prominent citizens, and they received me with heartiest 
congratulations and welcome. All afternoon and into the 
night until the provost guard sent all citizens to their homes 
the streets resounded with yells, and cheers for the 'Union' 
and 'Lincoln.' A marked feature of the loyalty of this sec- 
tion (so different from western Kentucky) is that the peo- 
ple have no scruples about hurrahing for Lincoln, — they 
recognize him as the leader and head of the Government. 
"It is stated that last night, after the occupation of the 
town, the intelligence was communicated to the people 
throughout the country by the firing of guns from place to 
place and by signal fires on the mountains. And this morn- 
ing the streets were crowded with people from the country 
far and near, and such rejoicing I never saw before. How 
they shouted and stood with uncovered heads beneath the 
old Stars and Stripes. With what sincere welcome they 
met the soldiers. The mayor of the city brought forth an 
immense flag, which he had kept, waiting anxiously for the 
day when he could unfurl it. This was suspended early this 
morning over Main (or Gay) Street, and at the sight of it 



THE EAST TENNESSEE CAMPAIGN 125 

the people as they came in from the country yelled with a 
perfect frenzy of delight. Early in the day a procession of 
ladies was formed, and bearing two American flags, they 
marched down Main Street and under the large flag, in 
order that they might fulfill a vow they made early in the 
war that they would In a body march under the first Ameri- 
can flag raised in Knoxville. It does soldiers good to fight 
for such a people. It is a labor of love. Every soldier in my 
brigade has been paid a hundred times over since we came 
into East Tennessee for all our hardships, short rations and 
exposures, by the hearty welcome of the people. We can 
see upon their faces the recognition of the fact that we have 
delivered them from a cruel bondage. 

"Although the rebels have for five days been removing 
their property, we came upon the town so suddenly yester- 
day that we captured a large amount of army property, five 
locomotives, a number of cars, and saved the mills, foundry, 
railroad works, hospitals, and other army buildings from 
burning. 

''September 3. 

" I went yesterday to visit the prison where the rebels kept 
the Union men confined. It is a dirty, filthy, jail, hardly fit 
for the lowest criminals. I saw the room in which Parson 
Brownlow was confined. On the wall of it in large black 
letters is written, — ^ Death to our persecutors."^ 

"When we came in on Tuesday the gallows was standing 
near the railroad, at the edge of the town, where the Union 



126 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

men were dragged from the jail and, contrary to all law and 
civilized warfare, hung like felons for faithfulness to their 
Government. You will find something of this in Brownlow's 
narrative, I rode over to see it as soon as I could on the 
morning after we arrived, and to place a guard over it, but 
some enraged soldiers and citizens had gone there before me 
and cut it down and burnt it. I was sorry, because it was in a 
prominent place and I wanted it preserved as a monument of 
the wickedness and cruelty of the persecutors of these people. 

"We had this morning a fresh outbreak of patriotism. 
The news of the Federal occupation of the town had by last 
night spread into the adjoining counties, and the people 
flocked in from every direction. A large delegation of men 
and women of all ages formed in long procession (from Sevier 
County) and carrying the American flag, paraded through 
the town and out to camp, and the town again ran wild with 
patriotic joy. Men who had been hiding among the rocks 
and caves of the mountains, and who had not seen each other 
for years or since the rebellion broke out, stood grasping 
each other's hands beneath the folds of the old flag, while 
tears streamed down their cheeks. I have read of Hears of 
joy,' but never saw so much of it as here. 

"But General Bumside and the rest of the army will be 
in town this evening and I must get ready to receive them, 
so good-bye for the present." 

In my letter of the 7th I gave an account of my first ex- 
pedition out of Knoxville : — 

"A day or two after his arrival General Burnside sent for 



THE EAST TENNESSEE CAMPAIGN 127 

me to say that he had received information which he thought 
was reUable to the effect that the rebels had left the railroad 
up as far as Bristol, on the Virginia line one hundred and 
thirty miles, in good condition and unguarded; that at Bris- 
tol there was a round-house and a great supply of locomotives 
and cars; and that it was very desirable to get possession of 
this rolling-stock, if possible. He proposed that I make up 
a train out of the rolling-stock I had captured on my occu- 
pation of Knoxville and go up the railroad as far as I could 
do so safely, and reach Bristol if possible. 

"It was a new business for me to go a-soldiering on a rail- 
road train, but I cheerfully undertook the expedition. I had 
to secure the engineer and brakemen out of my own com- 
mand, as there were none others available. Putting three 
of the companies of the Sixty-fifth dismounted on the train, 
we started out early in the afternoon, hoping to get over a 
good part of the road before dark, but within ten miles of 
Knoxville we encountered a small bridge burnt, but with 
the tools we had brought with us some of our expert railroad 
men were able to arrange a temporary crossing for the train. 
It was nearly dark when we reached Strawberry Plains, 
only seventeen miles out, and here we stopped the train, 
as I had learned that the President of the railroad lived 
here, and he would probably be at home, as he had fled from 
Knoxville before our arrival. I took a small guard with me to 
his house, where I found him. I explained that our general 
had sent me on an expedition up his road toward the Vir- 
ginia line, and as we had no one on the train who was familiar 



128 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

with the road, I should esteem it a great favor if he would 
accompany us. Seeing the situation with my armed guard, 
he accepted the invitation with the best grace possible, but 
as we moved off the ladies of the household set up a fearful 
wailing, beseeching me not to take him, as they felt sure he 
was going to his death, notwithstanding I assured them that 
no harm should come to him. 

"After comfortably seating the President, I took post with 
the brigade bugler on top of a pile of wood on the locomotive 
tender, and the train moved off at slow speed in the darkness 
on the strange road, without a stop until we reached Jones- 
boro, ninety-eight miles from Knoxville, after midnight. 
Here our engineer, not being familiar with the switches, ran 
the fore wheels of his locomotive off the track. While a few 
of us dismounted to aid in getting on the track again, I dis- 
covered that another train was lying on the track with a 
lot of invalid Confederate soldiers, who told us the train had 
just arrived that evening from Richmond. About the same 
time we heard a great commotion in the town, with loud 
military commands indicating the presence of troops. It was 
very dark and we were strange to the locality, but I or- 
dered out a platoon of soldiers, who fired a volley or two 
in the direction of the noise, which was followed by a great 
clatter of horses' hoofs. The next day, as we came back, the 
citizens told us that the rebel troopers could be seen in all 
directions flying away, some bareback, others without fire- 
arms or hats. It proved to be a detachment of Confederate 
cavalry stationed in the town. 



THE EAST TENNESSEE CAMPAIGN 129 

"At Jonesboro we learned from the station employees 
that another train would be due from Richmond about eight 
o'clock in the morning. Thirteen miles above that place the 
railroad crossed the Watauga River, where there was a rebel 
blockhouse or fort protected by artillery, and which we 
learned was garrisoned. Our only hope of getting to Bristol 
was to capture the incoming train and rush our own train 
unawares into the fort and take the garrison by surprise. So 
after leaving a guard in charge of the train found at Jones- 
boro, we moved up quietly about day-break to the first 
station this side of the fort, surrounded the town with orders 
to allow no one to pass out, and we lay quietly in ambush 
waiting for the train. Sure enough, it came along on time 
and we were greatly elated. But just before it got within gun- 
shot of our ambush, it whistled down the brakes, stopped, 
and instantly ran backwards at full speed and whistling into 
the fort. Some one had given them a warning signal, and 
the fort was at once notified of our presence. With that our 
expedition to Bristol came to an end. General Burnside had 
been misinformed. The railroad above Knoxville was not 
only guarded but was in use from Richmond. 

"Our return journey was uneventful except that, as we 
neared Jonesboro, some of the soldiers we had scattered had 
quite dexterously loosened a rail and slightly displaced one 
end at a sharp curve in the road on a down grade, which 
tumbled our locomotive down an embankment and dis- 
abled it. Several of the soldiers were bruised and the rail- 
road President got a few slight scratches on his face. For- 



I30 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

tunately we had the captured locomotive, and with it we 
took all the cars back to Knoxville. Our return was on Sun- 
day, and as the news of our passing up in the night had got 
noised about, the whole country turned out In gala dress 
and with flags to welcome us." 

My next letter Is from Greenville, seventy-four miles above 
Knoxville on the railroad, the home of Andrew Johnson, 
afterwards President of the United States. It Is dated Sep- 
tember 12: — 

" I have my brigade at this place, as also the One Hundred 
and Third Ohio Infantry assigned to my command and 
stationed here as a provost guard. Generals Burnside and 
Hartsuff (corps commander) have been very pleasant and 
kind and are disposed to do everything they can for me. 
They promise to send me on an expedition by way of Bris- 
tol into Virginia to destroy the Salt Works, probably the 
most important movement left in East Tennessee. I am in 
very good health and spirits." 

We were still at Greenville on September i6. My chief 
trouble seemed to be with the mails. I had not heard from 
home for nearly a month. I write my wife : — 

"It has been so long since I have heard from you. How I 
would appreciate a letter to-day from my dear wife, telling 
me about our family affairs, that she was well, that our 
dear little children were well, giving me some of the sayings 
and doings of my little Alice, to have some news from Evans- 
ville and the families there. If It had not been that I had so 
very much to do and such great responsibilities resting upon 



THE EAST TENNESSEE CAMPAIGN 131 

me that kept me actively employed, I should have been 
lonely, indeed. When I go a-soldiering again I want it along 
a river or railroad so I can get some communication with the 
outer world and my wife. 

"I am glad to assure you that in this long interval of sus- 
pense I have been in good health and I think discharging my 
duties to the entire satisfaction of my superior officers. I am 
very well satisfied at being ordered away from Henderson 
and placed in active service. It has given me a very promi- 
nent and choice command, and brought me in close contact 
with the commanding generals of the army. During the past 
three weeks I have been in close and intimate relationship 
with Generals Burnside and Hartsuff, and acting directly 
under their orders. 

"We have been for a week at this place in front of an 
army of rebels at Jonesboro twenty miles above here, mo- 
mentarily expecting an attack. I think that within a few 
days we will make a movement that will completely drive 
them out of Tennessee. If so you may expect to hear of the 
Second Brigade dashing away up onto the sacred soil of 
Virginia. I have a very good brigade of near three thousand 
effective men. For the present I am holding this position with 
my brigade and two regiments of infantry till General Burn- 
side comes up with the army which is on the way. Several 
times a day I am called to the telegraph office for con- 
versations over the wires with General Burnside on the situa- 
tion at the front and he freely calls for my views as to move- 
ments. He is a very kind-hearted and pleasant gentleman. 



132 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

and willing to give every officer his full share of credit. I 
write thus freely to my wife of these matters because she will 
be interested to know them and to her it will not appear 
boasting or self-praise. 

"I wish I had time to prepare a letter for the friends at 
home on the state of affairs in East Tennessee, and give a 
simple narrative of facts as to what the Union men have 
suffered. Such cruelty, such oppression, and heartless wrong 
has no parallel at least on this continent. It may have been 
equaled by the barbarians of Europe. No wonder that the 
people receive us with tears and perfect ecstasy of rejoicing 
and unbounded enthusiasm. The rejoicing and demonstra- 
tions I have witnessed will be probably the brightest of my 
reminiscences of the war. No wonder these people have 
wept tears of joy at the sight of the old flag, for It has brought 
to them freedom from a tyrannical oppression. It was the 
happiest epoch of my life to first carry that flag into Knox- 
ville, and to bear it in the advance along up this valley for 
more than a hundred miles, and receive the welcome of the 
loyal people. And I hope in a few days to have the honor to 
say that we have driven the enemy entirely beyond the 
borders of the State. 

"At our advance men have come to us all bleached and 
weak, who have been hiding in the rocks and caves and in 
pits away from the light of day for months. Men have been 
chased through the mountains for conscription In the rebel 
service, and a bounty offered for their arrest or death. Wo- 
men have been driven from their homes, and their houses 



THE EAST TENNESSEE CAMPAIGN 133 

and their all were burnt before them, because their hus- 
bands were in the Union army. The scaffolds were to be 
seen where loyal men were hung for suspicion of bridge- 
burning without any trial whatever. The tales of cruelty 
and wrong which I have heard go to make up a history of 
tyranny which will be the blackest record of this slave- 
holders' rebellion. 

"There is a valley over the line in North Carolina about 
twenty-iive miles from this place, just under the shadow of 
the Great Smoky Mountains, almost shut out from the 
world. The valley along the creek is rich and inhabited by 
a bold but simple race of men. These men, partaking of the 
true spirit of the mountains, were true and unalterably at- 
tached to the Government, and no bribes or threats could 
induce them to go into the Southern army. There was but a 
small community of them and they were unanimous. When 
the conscripting officers came to take them into the army by 
force and the foragers to carry off their horses and provi- 
sions, they met them along the mountain-sides with their 
squirrel-rifles and drove them back; it was almost worth a 
Confederate officer's life to venture into the valley. Finally 
they sent a large force of cavalry and Indians among them 
and drove the mountaineers before them. They fled to their 
hiding-places and none of the men fit for military duty could 
be found. The cavalry gathered up all their horses and cat- 
tle. The women and children, old men and boys, were left 
at home, thinking them safe from conscription. The savage 
traitors drove the families from their houses and burnt them 



134 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

and everything in them. But this was not all. The old men, 
the women, and children were driven out of the valley and 
made to walk on foot over the mountains and down to 
Greenville. Old and prominent citizens of this place have 
told me that it was the most pitiable sight they ever beheld. 
A stout-hearted and manly citizen in talking to me about it 
could not restrain the tears, saying that he never related the 
circumstances without tears, because it brought the sight so 
vividly before him. Women came carrying children in their 
arms, with other little ones barefooted and almost naked 
clinging to their skirts. There were women of all ages and 
children driven like sheep before the soldiers. There were 
women in a most delicate situation who were made to walk 
with the rest; if the suffering were the greater the punish- 
ment was the more appropriate. They were brought to the 
railway station and kept over night, and it was the deter- 
mination of General (called 'Mudwall' in contradistinction 
to 'Stonewall') Jackson in command here to send them over 
the Cumberland Mountains to Kentucky. Governor Vance 
of North Carolina heard of the brutal proceeding in time, and 
declared that women and children should not be banished 
from his State so long as he was its governor, and they were 
ordered to be returned. 

" Since then these men of the Laurel Valley have been the 
wild men of the mountains. Their homes have been in the 
caves and cliffs of the rocks, and woe to the rebel soldier 
who came within range of their rifles. The most vigorous 
measures have been taken to ferret them out, but few of 



THE EAST TENNESSEE CAMPAIGN 135 

them have ever been caught, their hiding-places and their 
daring were a good protection. A company of them twice 
attempted to break through and cross the Cumberland 
Mountains to join the Union army in Kentucky, but were 
driven back before they could get out of East Tennessee. 
Day before yesterday a company of over fifty of these brave 
men came over from the mountains and asked me for help. 
An old man, who was the spokesman and the wise man of the 
valley, said they were a poor, ignorant, wild set of 'cusses' 
who did n't know much but devotion to the flag of their 
country and how to shoot. He asked me to give them a 
little good advice and some guns. I could not refuse the 
latter, at least. I gave them the arms and sent them home, 
and a merciful God will have to protect the savages who 
have murdered their fathers, plundered their farms, burnt 
their houses, and driven their wives and mothers from their 
homes, for these men with their muskets will not remember 
mercy. 

"This is no fancy sketch or exaggerated story of the war. 
It is the plain, unvarnished truth, to be vouched for by 
hundreds of citizens of Greenville. Could you have believed 
that such atrocity could have been committed in the land of 
Washington ? This same General Jackson is now in front of 
us, and I have been asking General Bumside for days to 
let my brigade after him, but he withholds for the present. 
It will not be many days before I shall try to capture him or 
drive him out of East Tennessee, I hope forever." 

The expedition from which I had so greatly longed to drive 



1 



136 WAR STORIES^ FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

out the rebel General Jackson, and which General Burnside 
had promised, did not come off. General Rosecrans had 
suffered a severe repulse at Chickamauga, and Burnside was 
ordered to give him what support he could. This brought 
all of Burnside's plans above Knoxville to a dead halt. 
Bragg's rebel cavalry was reported to have crossed the Ten- 
nessee River and was threatening Rosecrans's rear, and all 
of Brunside's cavalry was ordered to follow up Bragg's move- 
ment. My next letter was written at Knoxville, October I, 
to which place I had come with my brigade. On arrival 
here I was still without letters from home. I had attempted 
to telegraph, but could get no replies. Apparently my dis- 
consolate condition had worked upon General Burnside's 
sympathy, as he sent a telegram in his own name inquiring 
about the whereabouts and health of my wife, which soon 
brought an answer that she was at Evansville and "all well." 
How this news was received is told in the letter: — 

"You can hardly imagine how gratifying it is to me to 
know to-night that my dear wife and children are well, from 
whom I am so far separated. I can go to-morrow to execute 
the orders of the general with much more alacrity that I 
now know that you are well and at home. 

"Aside from its inaccessibility for the mails, I find East 
Tennessee a very pleasant country to be in. The Union 
people are very kind and friendly, the climate is very 
healthy, and the valley of East Tennessee one of the most 
beautiful in America. I tell the people here that if we can get 
peace again and they will abolish slavery, I would like very 



THE EAST TENNESSEE CAMPAIGN 137 

well to come and live with them. I have been very kindly 
and considerately treated by them. Being in the advance all 
the time, I have been the first to make their acquaintance, 
and they consequently know me better than others. I need 
not live in camp at all while about Knoxville. I have been 
here now four days and have had only one meal in camp. 
The society of the Union people of Knoxville is very pleasant 
and quite cultivated. 

"But my visits to Knoxville are only pleasant episodes in 
my military life. Cavalry must be active. I am off again. 
The brigade left to-night for Loudon, starting at dark in a 
pitiless rain, and it has been raining ever since. General 
Burnside had me wait over here to-night that he might 
confer with General Shackelford and me as to my move- 
ments, and he will give me a special train in the morning for 
myself and staif . He has invited me to come in the morning 
and take breakfast with him, when the matter will be defi- 
nitely settled and I will be off. Bragg's cavalry has crossed 
over to the north side of Tennessee River, threatening Rose- 
crans's rear and communications, and we must do something 
to checkmate them if possible. I have a good brigade and 
the general is disposed to give me work to do. General 
Shackelford commands our division now, and is very kind 
and partial to me." 
My next letter was written from Knoxville October 4: — 
"I wrote you three nights ago. Then my brigade had 
been ordered to Loudon, and I was only remaining behind 
to get the last and special instructions of the general before 



138 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

going myself, expecting to be off in the morning, but I am 
still here and my brigade at Loudon. Every few hours I 
have been expecting definite orders, and something tran- 
spires to prevent it. During the last few days I have been 
getting a pretty good insight into the inner workings of our 
military affairs. I have been in General Burnside's private 
room daily and frequently, in conference with him and other 
generals, and know something about the interference of 
Washington City. 

"The plans were all laid, my guides were selected, the 
rations were all issued, my brigade was ready and waiting, 
and in a short time I was to be off on a grand raid into 
Georgia in rear of Bragg's army, tear up the railroad system 
of the State, and alarm the rebels generally, when orders 
were received from General Halleck that raids into Georgia 
are not now contemplated, and all that is stopped. Probably 
you will thank General Halleck for that. It may have made 
me a general. It may have run me into Libby Prison. But 
it was a great disappointment to me and I think to the 
general. 

"I have seen more of General Burnside than any of our 
generals, and I regard him as one of the best of men, a pure 
patriot, a just man, and, I hope, a Christian. Let me give 
you an instance. Yesterday evening everything was ready 
for a general movement of his whole army. I telegraphed my 
brigade at Loudon to be ready to move at two o'clock this 
morning; the forces at Cumberland Gap were notified to be 
in readiness; It appeared a matter of importance that we 



THE EAST TENNESSEE CAMPAIGN 139 

should be off. I went up to his room last night to get my 
final instructions. The general said he believed we would 
wait a day, as he forgot about to-morrow being Sunday. He 
said he always felt a disinclination to commence a movement 
on Sunday, and he would not do it, unless he should learn 
during the night that it was very urgent. So to-day we 
have a quiet Sabbath, the only one since we left Kentucky. 
It is very pleasant to me and doubtless Is to the whole 
army." 

It turned out that Bragg's cavalry was not a severe 
menace to Rosecrans and my brigade was recalled from 
Loudon and we moved up into Virginia as a part of the 
general movement just indicated. In a fight near Bristol the 
Sixty-fifth Regiment lost four killed and thirteen wounded, 
and had another fight at Jonesboro, from which place the 
letter of October 18 is written: — 

"We have just returned from a fatiguing march into Vir- 
ginia. We have succeeded In driving the enemy away from 
Zollicoffer, having another fight at Blountsville, and destroy- 
ing the Virginia Railroad for ten miles, but I have no time 
now to write about it. I have stood the last two weeks' cam- 
paign remarkably well and continue in the best of health. 
I enjoy the cavalry service very much, only lately we have 
had a little too much of a good thing. During the past five 
weeks we have been continuously on the march, with a num- 
ber of sharp fights. But we have now a prospect of a few 
days' rest. If I get It I will Improve it to write you a good 
long letter, but the enemy may interfere with my plans any 



140 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

day. This is likely to be our outpost station until Rose- 
crans and Bragg settle affairs below. 

"How often and how much I desire to be at home with 
the dear ones and families of relations and friends. As we 
rode along through the mud and rain to-day I thought of 
home and what a pleasure it would be for me to be with you 
all at home. But I must content myself, believing I am in 
the line of duty and pray that a kind Providence may bring 
me home at an early day. I have always believed that God 
is doing his will and accomplishing his purposes of right and 
freedom in this war, and if I can be one of the instruments 
in his hands of accomplishing a portion of this work we 
should be content. Kisses in abundance to my darling little 
children. Does my little Alice talk much about her papa? 
Tell her he thinks all the time about her." 

Extract from letter of October 25 : — 

" I wrote you a few days ago, just as I was starting on a 
reconnoissance toward Bristol. We found no enemy nor 
heard of any this side of Abingdon, Virginia, in any force. 
We had a very disagreeable march, raining most of the time, 
very hard on both men and horses. Our campaigning has 
been very hard and tiresome,though I have stood it myself 
very well, in fact better than if we had less active duty; but 
it has tried the mettle of our brigade. We have run our horses 
nearly down, a large number of the men are dismounted, 
and more than half of the rest have horses that will not 
stand a march of any length. The Sixty-fifth came out with 
eight hundred and fifty men; there are now in camp about 



THE EAST TENNESSEE CAMPAIGN 141 

six hundred. The marching, rain storms, short rations, and 
especially the whistling of bullets and ball have driven a 
number of our officers out of the service. 

"But I fear the worst of our campaigning is yet to come. 
It is becoming a serious question how we are to sustain our 
army in East Tennessee this winter. There is enough bread 
and meat, but the men have no winter clothing, and unless 
it comes soon it cannot get over the mountains. Winter 
will soon be upon us, with muddy roads and swollen rivers. 
We have just started a train of wagons from our division over 
to Kentucky for clothing and supplies, but I do not expect to 
see it short of six weeks, if ever. We had been hoping to get 
railroad communication open by way of Chattanooga, but 
the disaster to Rosecrans has at least postponed that. Just 
now I am anxious to get over into North Carolina with my 
brigade, but military movements are very uncertain and most 
likely I shall be disappointed." 

On the 29th of October I wrote again : — 

"General Shackelford had a report of the advance on us 
of an army of eighteen thousand and out of due precaution 
ordered us to fall back eighteen miles, but this morning mat- 
ters look as if we ran too soon from an invisible enemy. It 
will not surprise me if we are ordered back to our old camp 
at Jonesboro. It will suit me very well if we are, for I may 
then have a chance to make my contemplated raid over the 
mountains into North Carolina. I am anxious to get over 
there to see the people. The trip would take us through the 
Blue Ridge." 



142 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

I quote from a letter of November i : — 

"I wrote in my last how we got down here, how we ran 
from Sancho Panza's windmills. We are still here. We had 
orders to march and were all ready an hour before daylight 
yesterday morning, when the orders came countermanding 
the marching. We were to go back to Jonesboro. We are 
having a delightful day and a very quiet and most welcome 
Sabbath. I have been reading *The Words and Mind of 
Jesus,' and I got hold of an 'Independent,' which was quite 
a treat, as I don't often see any religious paper here. I went 
over to the house of Mr. Henderson (the leading citizen of 
this place) and found he had quite a good religious library; 
plenty of Presbyterian works. I told him he appeared to be 
sound religiously, if not politically; he is considerable of a 
rebel. 

"We have been enjoying our rest of late very much, and 
if we were not stirred out every little while with reports of 
large rebel forces right upon us, we could get more real en- 
joyment out of it. This evening a citizen (a reliable one, of 
course) reports the enemy advancing in force. To-morrow 
an equally reliable and intelligent one will know that there 
are none this side of the Holston River. If Willie were out 
here he would see a great deal more about soldiering than he 
used to see at Henderson." 

In my letter of November 8 I give an account of a bold 
dash of the rebels to Rogersville, which routed a Federal 
force stationed there, and captured four hundred and four 
guns: — 



THE EAST TENNESSEE CAMPAIGN 143 

"General Wilcox, who was in command in upper Tennes- 
see, when he got the report of the fight from the scared fugi- 
tives, became alarmed for fear the enemy would get in our 
rear, and he caused a general retreat of the whole army. Our 
cavalry and all marched all Friday night and till late in the 
morning of Saturday, and abandoned the whole country for 
eighteen miles below Greenville, thus giving up all we had 
gained. And all without reason, for as it turned out while we 
were marching all night one way the rebels were retreating 
with their booty and prisoners the other! Where we will go 
next I do not know, but I hope right back and occupy the 
country clear up to the Virginia line. We can do it without 
difficulty. 

"The whole cavalry force of Burnside's army has been 
formed into a cavalry corps and placed in command of Gen- 
eral Shackelford. The corps is composed of two divisions. 
Our brigade is in the Second Division. It would be com- 
manded by Colonel Carter, if present, but he may be absent 
for some weeks, and I have been assigned to the command 
of this division. It will be a very nice command and quite 
complimentary to me." 

I may state that I remained in command of this division 
of cavalry during the remainder of my service in Tennessee. 
I extract from my letter of November 13 : — 

"Major Brown and nine men of the Sixty-fifth are about 
leaving for a recruiting service in Indiana, and I send this 
letter by him. I told Major Brown that I did not know that 
I could say I wished (as he) that I too was going home, but 



144 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

I could say with emphasis that I wished the war was over 
and that I was going home to return no more. This going 
home to stay a week or two and then come back, tear away 
from home and all its dear attachments, is worse than the 
first departure. I can't say that when the campaign is pretty 
well over I may not apply for a leave of absence; but when I 
think of the parting from home again and the long muddy 
winter ride across the mountains, I begin to balance the mat- 
ter. When I come home I want it to be my last * leave.' When 
shall that be? I am too great a lover of my little wife, my 
darling children, and my happy home to make a good soldier, 
at least a professional soldier. How sweetly you wrote in 
your last letter of our little Alice praying her evening prayer 
for her absent papa. I believe He who noticeth the fall of a 
sparrow will hear and answer the prayer of innocence and 
childhood, and bring me home in safety that I may be the 
guardian of our dear family." 

My letter of November 14 reports an unfavorable change 
in the situation in East Tennessee. General Bragg command- 
ing the rebel forces in front of Chattanooga, feeling that he 
had Rosecrans's army safely besieged, dispatched Longstreet, 
one of the ablest of the Confederate generals, with his army 
corps to capture or drive out Burnside. It is to that situa- 
tion my letter refers : — 

"The intelligence this afternoon from Knoxville was 
rather ominous of evil to us. General Wilcox telegraphs me 
that the enemy have forced the right bank of the river below 
Loudon, that General Burnside had gone down to-day, and 



THE EAST TENNESSEE CAMPAIGN 145 

that If the enemy were too strong for our forces there we 
would have to look out for a retreat to the gaps in the Cum- 
berland Mountains. Our line of march would be to Cumber- 
land Gap, and I am notified that I with my division will have 
the important work of guarding the approaches to this route, 
down the valleys of the Holston, Clinch, and Powell Riv- 
ers, and also keeping open the communication with General 
Burnslde on our right to Knoxville. We will know more 
definitely to-night or to-morrow. 

"I hope and pray that we may not be driven to that dire 
necessity. In proportion as our joy was great in the occupa- 
tion of this country would our regrets be deep at being com- 
pelled to abandon it. But I have hope that to-morrow will 
bring the welcome intelligence that our army below has 
driven the enemy back over the river. It would be with a 
sad and heavy heart that I turned my back upon the loyal 
people of East Tennessee. I have confidence that God does 
not will it so." 

When my next letter November 22 was written from Taze- 
well, on the route to Cumberland Gap, Bumside had been 
besieged for a week by Longstreet : — 

"We are lying quiet here, just out of hearing of the fight- 
ing that is raging at Knoxville. Our messengers from Knox- 
ville report Bumside holding out heroically. I have little 
time to write and less inclination, even to my dear wife. I 
am heart-sick and gloomy, though not discouraged. General 
Burnslde, the best man of the generals I know, and a gallant 
army have been beleaguered at Knoxville for a week, and are 



146 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

still fighting manfully. We are almost powerless to do him 
any good, but I have asked General Wilcox to let me take my 
cavalry and support me at the fords of Clinch River with his 
infantry, and I would make at least one vigorous effort to 
break the rebel lines and raise the siege. He is at the Gap. 
General Burnside ordered him to look out for his line of re- 
treat and at all events to hold Cumberland Gap. This he is 
in a position to do." 

I wrote the 26th from Cumberland Gap, where I had 
come to try to get horses : — 

"We have no news from General Burnside direct since the 
23d, when he said he could hold out ten days, that his posi- 
tion was a strong one, and we are hopeful of his success for 
Grant at Chattanooga will push vigorously against Bragg. 
I will be off in the morning to harass the enemy. I shall 
make my headquarters at Tazewell, and send my old brigade 
over Clinch River toward Knoxville to stir up the enemy a 
little, and try to divert them from Burnside. Our cavalry 
is in such wretched condition it is almost impossible to do 
anything, the horses worn out, without shoes, and with very 
little forage. I regret it exceedingly when so much is ex- 
pected of us and needed. General Wilcox is ordered to keep 
his infantry near the Gap and send my cavalry out toward 
the enemy to gather information and annoy them." 

I wrote again on the 29th when we had just heard of 
Grant's victory at Chattanooga, but were without informa- 
tion of the gallant defense of Fort Stevens and the bloody 
repulse of the rebels at Knoxville : — 



THE EAST TENNESSEE CAMPAIGN 147 

"We have no news except the glorious victory of Grant's 
army, and we are hoping to see its effect in the deHverance 
of Burnside. The enemy seek to starve him into a surrender. 
I sent out yesterday my old brigade to go down toward 
Knoxville and feel out the enemy. I am getting a little anx- 
ious about them as there was cannonading heard below and 
I have had nothing from them since they left. It would be 
a serious affair for me to have my old brigade captured. 

"We are having rather a hard time to live, subsisting en- 
tirely upon the country. Our cavalry get along better than 
the infantry; the latter have been for days without flour or 
meal. Twenty-five cents have been refused for a cup full of 
corn. Parched corn is a luxury. But we are hoping for better 
times in a few days. The men bear it manfully." 

In my letter of December 4, in acknowledging receipt of 
a late letter from my wife, I reply: — 

"I wish very much I could be at home to enjoy with 
you the entertainments you write about, but I shall have to 
forego all these pleasures, and live on corn-bread and pork, 
cold nights, muddy roads, and occasional skirmishing. I 
don't know when I can promise you to come home, but not 
while the enemy is before us, as now. I think a few days 
hence will see them driven away. I mentioned in my last 
letter sending the Second Brigade down to the vicinity of 
Knoxville. They were attacked by the whole of Longstreet's 
cavalry and pressed back. They gave the enemy a severe 
fight, killing and wounding a considerable number of them. 
Our losses were a few taken prisoners, four killed and thirty 



148 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

wounded. Our men did bravely. My whole division will try 
it again to-morrow. We expect Sherman, who was sent up 
by Grant after his victory to relieve Bumside, will reach 
Knoxville to-morrow, when if Longstreet has not retreated 
there must be a severe battle. We want to be near at hand 
with our cavalry. I would have been there two or three days 
ago with my whole division, but have been constantly held 
back by General Wilcox." 

Sometime before the siege of Knoxville General Burnside 
had asked to be relieved of the command of the department, 
and General John G. Foster (of New Hampshire) of the 
Eastern army had been appointed to succeed him. He ar- 
rived at my headquarters while the siege was in progress. In 
this letter writing about a leave to come home, I refer to 
General Foster : — ■ 

"If matters quiet down here there is a probability that 
I may come this winter, but nothing certain; a man in the 
army can't go when he pleases. If General Burnside had re- 
mained, I think I would have had no difficulty, but it is un- 
certain as to General Foster, how strict he will be. I have 
been with him here for three or four days, being frequently 
consulted by him as to movements, the country, etc., and 
have been quite intimate at his headquarters. He is quite a 
Yankee and not so agreeable in his manners as Bumside, but 
withal he may make a good commander. But there is no man 
like Burnside for this department with his soldiers. I espe- 
cially will regret his leaving." 

The day after I wrote my last letter, Longstreet retreated 



THE EAST TENNESSEE CAMPAIGN 149 

from Knoxville (December 5) up the valley toward the Vir- 
ginia line, and the next day (the 6th) General Sherman 
reached Knoxville. On December 10 I wrote: — 

"Bean Station, where we are now camped, you will find 
on most maps of Tennessee. It is ten miles from Morris- 
town on the road to Cumberland Gap, just at the foot of the 
Clinch mountains, forty-two miles from Knoxville. We have 
followed the enemy this far up from Knoxville. From Taze- 
well I joined the Second Brigade near Knoxville. Colonel 
Graham of that brigade reported that an encampment of the 
enemy was over the mountain about five miles, so I sent 
him over, had a skirmish, captured a captain, several pris- 
oners, and seventy-five horses, and drove them clear over 
Clinch Mountain. Since then we have followed the enemy 
in their retreat, skirmishing with their rear guard all the 
way. I doubt whether we shall push the enemy much far- 
ther, as it will be difficult to get supplies." 

The siege of Knoxville was one of the most gallant events 
on the Federal side during the Civil War. Bumside with an 
inferior force successfully sustained a siege of twenty days, 
resisting the assaults of the enemy with comparatively small 
losses, endured short rations, and by the heroism of his 
command saved East Tennessee to the Union. The result 
gave great joy to all loyal men, and President Lincoln Issued 
a proclamation, calling on the people "to render special hom- 
age to Almighty God for this great advancement of the 
National cause," and Congress thanked Burnside and his 
army. General Grant in his "Memoirs" says: "The safety 



I50 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

of Burnside's army and the loyal people of East Tennessee 
had been the subject of much anxiety to the President, and 
he was telegraphing me daily, almost hourly, to ^remember 
Bumside,' *do something for Bumside,' and other appeals of 
like tenor." In my letter of December lo, I say: "Burnside 
goes out of this Department with the admiration of the 
whole army. His defense of Knoxville was glorious, and his 
goodness of heart and purity of character endear him to 
all who know him." Years after, while Minister to Mex- 
ico, I visited Washington at the time when Burnside was a 
Senator from his State, and received from him much social 
attention in recognition of our army friendship. 

From Bean Station I wrote again on December 13: — 

"We are still at this place, from which I last wrote you, 
being comparatively quiet. We daily send out reconnois- 
sances toward Rogersville and Morristown. They generally 
meet the enemy nine and twelve miles out, have a pretty 
sharp skirmish, lose a few men killed and wounded, and 
then return to camp. The enemy do not appear to be re- 
treating, or rather appear to have stopped retreating. My 
health continues very good, and I am in good spirits, only 
I get quite homesick at times. I will get home as soon as I 
can, but the prospect for doing so is not very flattering." 

In a hurried visit to Knoxville I wrote on the 23d of 
December : — 

"As I got to thinking about home, I said to General Foster 
that when my services could be dispensed with, I would like 
to take a leave of absence. He says he cannot think of letting 



THE EAST TENNESSEE CAMPAIGN 151 

me go for ten days or two weeks, but hopes at the expiration 
of that time that the exigencies of the service will permit 
him to let me go home. That means that I may probably 
go home If the enemy will let me. Don't fix your heart on 
my coming soon. It will be as soon as I can consistently." 

This is my Christmas letter: — 

"I can do nothing better to-night than to write you a 
letter by way of a Christmas present. We have to-day un- 
expectedly had a quiet, if not a Merry Christmas, though it 
did not appear last night as though it would be so. About 
3 P.M. yesterday I received orders (In camp near Blain's 
Cross-Roads) to move over at once and join General Sturgis 
at New Market, where the main body of the cavalry are. 
We got off about sunset, but did not arrive here till mid- 
night, having to ford the Holston and travel over a very 
bad road. How longingly I thought of what you and the 
dear ones at home might be doing at that hour as I marched 
along in the clear, stinging cold night. 

"After the cold and cheerless ride we fortunately got Into 
comfortable quarters, and have been quiet to-day, enjoying 
the rest and comfort. We Improvised a pretty good Christ- 
mas dinner. Among the delicacies we don't get often, we had 
eggs and butter. We are not living In excellent Epicurean 
style just now, as the country is pretty well eaten out. 

"I cannot see any prospect of our getting Into winter 
quarters, such as the papers report the Army of the Potomac 
and of the Cumberland are enjoying. The climate of East 
Tennessee is very similar to that of Indiana, and the men are 



152 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

very scantily supplied with 'dog' or shelter tents and many 
have not even these to cover them. My commands since 
we came into East Tennessee have been on one continuous 
campaign without cessation. Up the country, over the 
mountains, across the rivers, down the valley, then up again, 
driving the enemy before us, then falling back, to drive the 
enemy up the valley again — thus we have been for four 
months, until we have run down our horses and about half 
of our men. But we are enduring it very well, still after the 
rebels with as much zest as ever. There is a vast deal of 
excitement In the cavalry service." 

My last letter to my wife from East Tennessee was writ- 
ten on the last day of 1 863, which I began with a prayer: — 

"Let us not forget to thank our dear Heavenly Father for 
all His mercies of the past year. Oh, how good He has been 
to us, even with all our troubles ! How little we have done in 
our lives to repay that goodness! May He make us more 
worthy of His mercies and blessing in the New Year, and 
may He preserve our lives that we may together meet and 
praise Him. To His watchful care I commit my dear wife 
and little ones. 

"I last wrote you from New Market. I was enjoying a 
quiet rainy Sunday there, reading some good book I found 
at the house where I was quartered, when about noon I 
received orders for my division to move forward and attack 
the enemy and drive him back from Mossy Creek. It was 
an unwelcome order that rainy Sabbath, but we executed 
it, and after considerable skirmishing took up a new line two 



THE EAST TENNESSEE CAMPAIGN 153 

miles beyond Mossy Creek. Yesterday Colonel Wolford's 
division and mine were ordered out at three o'clock in the 
morning to Dandridge, where it was reported a division of 
rebel cavalry was encamped. We went, but found the enemy 
had left the night before, and we returned at 4 p.m. just in 
time to miss a nice little fight at Mossy Creek. The enemy 
attacked our outposts at ii a.m. and drove our troops back 
two miles, but ours in turn drove them back again beyond 
our lines. It is not often that my men have the fortune, or 
misfortune, to miss the fighting, as we did yesterday. 

"We have here our entire force of cavalry, and one brigade 
of infantry. The rest of the army is at Strawberry Plains 
and Blaln's Cross-Roads. Longstreet is reported at Morris- 
town with the main body of his army. I suppose General 
Foster intends to drive him away from there, if possible, how 
soon I don't care because I want to come home as soon as 
the fighting here is over, and take a little rest with my dear 
wife and darling little girls." 

I may venture, before closing my East Tennessee corre- 
spondence, to give in part the last of these letters, as a speci- 
men of letters to a soldier's child, written on January i, 
1864: — 

"Why should I not write a letter this New Year's Day 
to my dear little Alice .f* I am so far away I can't give you 
any nice present; all I can do is to try to write you a good 
letter. . . . 

"What have you and Lillie and the other little children 
been doing to-day? And did you have a Christmas tree and 



154 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

a happy time then ? Papa has not had much of a New Year's 
Day. It has been so cold, oh so very cold to-day. Was It 
cold at home? I could tell you a story about the cold. Would 
you like papa to tell you a little story m his letter? Do you 
still like to hear stories? Well, I can tell you part of it, and 
mamma can tell it over to you and fill it up. 

"Papa, you know, is away off, out in the mountains, so 
far away from home, in the army, and you know there are 
so many poor soldiers in the army. Yesterday, the last day 
of the old year, was such a gloomy day, it was so muddy and 
wet and rainy. And then last night it blew so hard and 
rained so much; it was like a hurricane (get mamma to tell 
you what that is). And the poor soldiers have no houses to 
live in, like little Alice, with nice warm beds, and they don't 
have large tents like you saw out in the woods near home last 
summer when Uncle Jimmy and the rest of the boys and 
men were out soldiering. They have to live in the fields and 
woods, and their tents are like grandma's tablecloth, only 
smaller, and they stretch that up over a pole and it is open 
at both ends, and at night two or three or four of them get 
down on their hands and knees and crawl into it and pull 
their blankets over them when they go to bed. The soldiers 
call them 'dog-tents.' Ask Lillie if she thinks it would be 
good enough for her *Trip.' Well, last night, after many of 
the soldiers had been marching in the rain, and when most 
of them were wet and their blankets wet, they built large 
fires, but they would n't burn well because it was too wet, 
and they crawled into the 'dog-tents,' and were trying to 



THE EAST TENNESSEE CAMPAIGN 155 

get to sleep when the naughty wind commenced to blow and 
it began again to rain, and the rain would blow on their 
heads and they would draw them further into their tents, 
and then it would rain on their feet, and pretty soon there 
came up such a hurricane that it blew all their tents clear off 
of them, and there they were lying on the muddy ground, 
and the cold rain pouring down on them. And they all had 
to get up out of bed. It had rained so hard that it put all 
their fires nearly out so they could n't get warm. Poor sol- 
diers, don't you pity them? 

" Some of the soldiers were out, away off in the dark woods 
on that terrible night on picket (get Willie or Uncle Aleck to 
tell you what that is). And they had to sit all night on their 
poor horses away out by themselves with their guns in their 
hands and swords by their sides, watching to keep the 
wicked rebels from slipping into camp in the dark night and 
killing your poor papa and the rest of the soldiers. After 
a while the rain stopped, but the wind kept blowing and 
whistling through the trees and over the mountains and 
making such a terrible noise. You can hear it whistle around 
the corner of grandmamma's house, but it moans and 
whistles so much louder out here over the mountains, it 
might frighten little girls if they did not know what it was. 
Soon the wind began to change around toward the north 
where Jack Frost lives and from where the white snow 
comes, and the rain began to freeze, and the ground got 
hard, and it was so cold, oh bitter cold. The poor soldiers 
could sleep no more that night, their blankets were all 



156 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

frozen stiff as an icicle, and they had to build great big fires 
to keep their coats and pants from freezing on them. It was 
all they could do to keep from freezing; they could not keep 
warm. 

"Some of the men, when we went out to drive away the 
rebels from the other side of the mountain, were hungry and 
they stopped behind us at a farmhouse to get something to 
eat, and the wicked rebels caught them and took their over- 
coats away from them, and took their warm boots off their 
feet; and some of the poor fellows got away from them and 
walked all the way from the rebel camp over the frozen ground 
barefooted. To-day the soldiers have done nothing but build 
big fires and stand close up to them and try to keep warm. 

"These poor soldiers and your papa have come away from 
our homes and left good mammas and dear little daughters 
to keep the wicked bad rebels from making this country a 
poor, unhappy one, and that when little Alice and the dear 
children of the other soldiers grow up they will have a good 
and a happy country, and won't have to know about wars 
and such terrible things. You must remember about the 
poor soldiers, and pray God that He will be very kind to 
them and make the time soon come when they and your 
papa can all of them go home to their dear little daughters 
and good mammas. 

" Kiss mamma and little Sister Edith for me, and tell your 
little cousins Gwyn and Foster and Johnny that your papa 
hopes to come home soon and that he will then come around 
with you and see them all." 



THE EAST TENNESSEE CAMPAIGN 157 

As intimated in the last letter to my wife, General Foster 
did make a forward movement with his entire force, and 
pushed the enemy toward the Virginia line, but thereafter 
there was a lull in army operations for the rest of the winter 
on both sides. The time had come for which I had so long 
looked when I could without injury to the service ask for 
a leave of absence, which General Foster, commanding the 
Department, cheerfully granted, and before the last of Jan- 
uary, 1864, I was on my way home, going by way of Chat- 
tanooga and Nashville, as the railroad communication was 
then well established. 

I have noted the death of my father in April, 1863. He 
had been actively engaged in extensive mercantile affairs, 
and while not wealthy (as the world estimates wealth now), 
was possessed of considerable property, both real and per- 
sonal. By his will he made me the executor of his estate and 
guardian of the two minor children. In August, 1863, after 
I was well on the march to East Tennessee, I received a 
letter from my brother stating that the court at Evansville 
had required my presence in the proceedings for the settle- 
ment of my father's estate, but I obtained a stay until I 
should be able to get released from my army duties, with the 
assurance on my part that I would make as little delay as 
possible. 

When I reached home I found the affairs of my father's es- 
tate in such condition that I could not conclude my duties 
as executor in the time fixed for my "leave" from my com- 
mand. There was the widow, two minor and four adult heirs 



iS8 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

claiming attention to my duties as executor. Under the cir- 
cumstances I felt it proper to tender my resignation from the 
army, especially as I had already determined to do so at the 
expiration of my three years' term of service, which would 
be within four months. 

There was no reason for me to tender my resignation ex- 
cept the undischarged duty of executor and my earnest de- 
sire to be with my family. During my entire army service I 
had enjoyed good health and was pleased with the active life. 
I had been reasonably successful in military affairs, and had 
held large and important commands to the satisfaction of 
my superior officers, and there was every prospect of my 
early promotion in rank. But I put aside preferment and 
possible military distinction for the more immediate call of 
family duty. The outlook for the suppression of the rebel- 
lion was at that date most favorable. Grant had been made 
commander-in-chief, and was organizing his army for the 
final march on Richmond; Sherman was preparing for his 
advance on Atlanta and his march to the sea; and at no 
time since the opening of hostilities had the cause of the 
Union looked so auspicious. 

General Sturgis, in command of the cavalry corps to 
which I belonged, in forwarding my resignation to the De- 
partment general made the following endorsement : — 

"In approving this resignation, I cannot refrain from ex- 
pressing my deep regret In parting with so Intelligent, ener- 
getic, and brave an officer. I have for some time been aware 
of the business and family Interests which I feared would 



THE EAST TENNESSEE CAMPAIGN 159 

sooner or later deprive the army of the services of Colonel 
Foster, yet after so long and faithful service he should be, I 
think, relieved under the circumstances. His loss, however, 
will be severely felt in this corps and his place hard to fill." 

When my resignation became known to the Sixty-fifth 
Regiment the officers held a meeting in which a series of reso- 
lutions were adopted declaring "that Colonel Foster, since 
his connection with the regiment has been unceasing in his 
labors in, and untiring in his devotion to, the cause in which 
we are engaged, and has spared no means to render his regi- 
ment efficient; that he has commanded the regiment with 
distinguished honor to himself and to the regiment; that in 
his resignation the regiment and the service have lost an 
efficient and valuable officer; and that he bears with him to 
his home our highest esteem and our best wishes as a citizen." 

An editorial of considerable length appeared in the 
"Evansville Journal," from which the following is an ex- 
tract : — 

We regret exceedingly to learn that Colonel John W. Foster 
has felt it to be his duty to resign his commission as colonel of 
the Sixty-fifth Indiana Regiment, and that his resignation has 
been accepted. We have known for some time that circum- 
stances — growing out of his father's death, occasioned an al- 
most absolute necessity for his personal attention to the settle- 
ment of a vast amount of unfinished business left by the Judge 
— were conspiring to force Colonel Foster out of the service, 
but we were in hope that matters might be so arranged as to 
enable him to remain in the field. It seems, however, that this 
could not be done, and our Government loses the services of 
one of its most gallant, energetic, and experienced officers. 

Colonel Foster entered the service of his country in the sum- 



i6o WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

mer of 1861, as major of the Twenty-fifth Regiment Indiana 
Volunteers. He laid aside the profession of the law, and took 
upon himself the profession of arms, from a conscientious belief 
that his first service was due to his Government. Without ex- 
perience, or even a theoretical knowledge of military life when 
he entered the service, so close was his application to study, 
that but a short time elapsed before he was a thorough master 
of all the duties incumbent upon his position as Major of the 
regiment, or for that matter with any position connected with 
the regiment. Colonel Foster was a rigid disciplinarian, yet he 
exacted nothing from his men that was not essential to the effi- 
ciency of his regiment, or that he was unwilling to perform 
himself. 

After a detailed review of my military service, it adds: — 

Colonel Foster has proven his patriotism by his actions and 
in retiring to private life he will carry with him the assurance 
that he has merited the good wishes of his countrymen and 
secured the great satisfaction of an approving conscience. 

From an editorial in the "Louisville Journal" the follow- 
ing is extracted : — 

The resignation of Colonel John W. Foster of the Sixty-fifth 
Indiana Regiment has been accepted. His retirement from the 
army is to be regretted, as he was one of the most experienced, 
efficient and gallant officers in the service. 

After a sketch of my military career, it says : — 

Colonel Foster accompanied the expedition of General Burn- 
side in the movement on East Tennessee, at times commanding 
brigades and even divisions. Just before tendering his resigna- 
tion he was recommended for a brigadier-general's commission 
by Generals Burnside and Grant. Important business relating 
to his father's estate demanded immediate attention, and forced 
his resignation. The army and the country alike regret his re- 
tirement to private life. 



VIII 

WITH THE HUNDRED DAYS MEN 

About three months elapsed after my return home from the 
East Tennessee campaign when a new appeal was made to 
me to reenter the military service. General Sherman was as- 
sembling at and near Chattanooga an army to make his 
great drive on Atlanta and into the very heart of the rebel- 
lion. To succeed in his decisive movement he had to draw 
his supplies from north of the Ohio River over a single long 
line of railroad communication, reaching from Louisville 
through the States of Kentucky and Tennessee to Chatta- 
nooga, and beyond as his army advanced. This line of sup- 
plies was mainly through hostile territory, and every part of 
it had to be guarded by armed soldiers. In order to give 
Sherman every possible trained soldier to swell his army so 
as to make the movement a success, it was determined to 
send all the soldiers then guarding this line of railroad to the 
front, which would prove a large addition to the fighting force 
of Sherman's army, and to replace them as guards with new 
recruits, who could be effective behind intrenchments and 
when on the defensive. Accordingly the Governors of the 
States of the Middle West made a call upon their several 
States for regiments of volunteers to serve for one hun- 
dred days, the estimated period of Sherman's campaign to 
Atlanta. 



i62 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

The call upon the State of Indiana was responded to 
with alacrity, and within a few days several regiments were 
formed and in a short time made ready for service. It was 
the desire of Governor Morton to have these raw recruits 
commanded, as far as possible, as colonels and other staff 
officers, by men who had already seen service and were ex- 
perienced in actual fighting. One of these regiments, largely 
made up from Evansville and the adjoining counties, ex- 
pressed a strong desire that I might be appointed to command 
them, and this action was followed by a telegram from Gov- 
ernor Morton tendering me a commission as colonel, and 
making a strong appeal to me to again give my services to 
the country in this great emergency. 

I confess the call did not strongly appeal to me from a mili- 
tary viewpoint, as the contemplated service did not promise 
any distinction in warlike operations ; but on the other hand, 
it was a service which would be just as useful in promoting 
Sherman's success as if we should be sent to the front and 
take part in the actual fighting, for without this line of com- 
munication for supplies being maintained his campaign must 
assuredly prove a failure. I recalled the fact in ancient his- 
tory that the greatest of Hebrew generals, following the well- 
recognized rules of warfare, insisted on giving to those who 
guarded the camp and protected the line to the rear the 
same honor and emoluments as those who did the fighting. 
The Scriptural historian has preserved King David's words : 
"As his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his 
part be that tarrieth by the stuff; they shall part alike." So 



WITH THE HUNDRED DAYS MEN 163 

important did he deem this principle that the historian re- 
cords that "from that day forward he made it a statute and 
an ordinance for Israel unto this day." 

I had made much progress in the business of settling my 
father's estate, the cause of my previous resignation, and 
having secured my wife's consent to my reenlistment, there 
seemed to be no good reason for not responding to the call 
of the Governor and my townsmen and neighbors, and within 
three days after tender of my commission I was on the way 
to put myself at the head of the One Hundred and Thirty- 
sixth Indiana Infantry Volunteers. I have indicated that 
the character of the service to which we were to be assigned, 
the guarding of the railroad, did not promise any brilliant 
military exploits, and the extracts which I shall make from 
my letters may not be found of much interest, but they will 
at least set forth the manner in which we filled up our Hun- 
dred Days' service in the cause of our country. 

The One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Indiana was mustered 
into service May 23, 1864, at Indianapolis, and passed through 
Louisville. My letter of the 31st states: — 

"We left Louisville on Saturday morning, and I stationed 
the companies along the railroad from Shepardsville to Nolln, 
ten miles below here (Elizabeth town) on the railroad. I had 
hardly got the companies distributed, selected my head- 
quarters here, and got my dinner, before the train arrived 
from Nashville bringing an aide to Major-General Rous- 
seau, who was on the hunt for the One Hundred and Thirty- 
sixth Indiana, which should go to his command in Ten- 



i64 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

nessee, but he saw by the Louisville papers that it had been 
stopped, and would go along the railroad. The aide had 
orders for me to go direct to Nashville at once, disregarding 
all orders from all sources but the War Department; but as 
General Burbridge had ordered me to come here, and as I 
was in his district, and was guarding important bridges which 
should not be abandoned, I decided to wait until the gen- 
erals should get their conflict in orders adjusted. We have 
been waiting in doubt as to our future for two days; mean- 
while the generals had been telegraphing with each other and 
with me, until last night I received orders to go to Nashville 
as soon as transportation was provided. How soon the cars 
will be ready to take me down I do not know." 

Within two days we arrived in Nashville whence my letter 
of June 4 says : ■ — 

"I wrote you a note yesterday that we would go to Mur- 
freesboro. I went down there yesterday and returned this 
morning. I will be oif for that place again in an hour with 
three companies. The rest of the regiment will follow to- 
night and in the morning. We shall not be quite so well sit- 
uated there as we were at Elizabeth town, nor for that matter 
as comfortably situated as at home, but I think we can get 
through the one hundred days there at least tolerably safely, 
which is the great point with you, is it not.? Uncle Tom ar- 
rived here yesterday from the Sixty-fifth in poor health. I 
have been hunting for him this morning, but have not as 
yet been able to find him." 

This last refers to Colonel Johnson, of whom I have made 



WITH THE HUNDRED DAYS MEN 165 

reference in previous letters. Three times he had been 
granted furlough on account of ill-health, but with the grim 
determination of a martyr, he persisted in his effort to re- 
main with his command, at that time at the front with 
Sherman's army. 

In my letter of June 8, I give an account of our camp and 
surroundings at Murfreesboro : — 

"When we arrived here the general directed me to camp 
the regiment in the fortress, a large and very strong series 
of earthworks and rifle-pits, built by Rosecrans's army after 
the battle of Stone River. The enclosures are large, open 
spaces, without a particle of shade or grass, entirely exposed 
to the sun. The troops already in the fortress have erected 
tolerably comfortable barracks, but there was no material 
out of which to make any more; and as our men had nothing 
but shelter tents, I was afraid if put into such a camp the 
exposure would bring on sickness. So I rode all round the 
vicinity of the town and found several very good camping- 
places, and induced the general to let us camp out of the 
fortress, in such suitable place as I might select. I found a 
very fine camp in a beautiful grove just at the edge of the 
town, and adjoining a very fine spring of water, which pleases 
officers and men very much. Two companies are stationed 
below on the railroad, and we shall have eight companies 
here, making a very respectable battalion. 

"How long we will remain here is very uncertain, but we 
shall be very well satisfied to stay here during the remainder 
of our one hundred days. Since we went into camp I have 



i66 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

been putting the regiment through in drill and duties of sol- 
diers, keeping officers and men quite busy. Besides these 
drills, Lieutenant-Colonel Walker drills the officers an hour, 
and I have two recitations of officers an hour each in Tactics 
and Regulations. In the evenings after supper I give them a 
lecture on the Army Regulations, organization, and mili- 
tary customs, which is quite as profitable to me as to them, 
as it requires considerable study and posting on my part. We 
had our first battalion drill to-day and it proved quite inter- 
esting. At the present rate of daily duties in one month I 
shall have the regiment in a condition to compare favorably 
with the veteran regiments in drill at least. I want to bring 
them home well drilled and thoroughly instructed in the 
duties of the soldier. I have the reputation of being a strict 
disciplinarian, but I think the officers and the intelligent men 
appreciate it. The exercises not only make them better sol- 
diers, but the active service makes them more healthy than 
to lie idle in camp. 

*'Our camping-ground is on the lawn in front of one of the 
finest houses in the State. The surroundings were before the 
ravages of war very beautiful. The house was the head- 
quarters of the rebel General Bragg, before he fell back after 
the battle of Stone River. The owner was formerly quite 
wealthy, the possessor of a large plantation here and one in 
Mississippi. He is now keeping a store in town for the sup- 
port of his family, reaping the reward of the rebellion of him- 
self and relatives." 

In my letter of June 13 I give another view of camp life : — 



WITH THE HUNDRED DAYS MEN 167 

"Yesterday was our first real Sabbath in camp, and we 
spent it very pleasantly. We had the Sunday morning in- 
spection at eight o'clock, beginning it with a short religious 
exercise by the chaplain. The inspection would have been 
very creditable to old soldiers. The men had their arms and 
accouterments and clothing in fine order and looked well. 
These Sunday morning inspections have a fine eff"ect, it causes 
the men to clean up themselves and their arms, and makes 
them feel it is a real Sabbath, which they are likely to forget 
in camp. 

"After inspection we were quite liberal in allowing the 
men more passes for the day, going out in squads in charge 
of officers. Some went to church, but many went to stroll 
over the battlefield of Stone River, which is about two miles 
from town. Major Hynes and I went in town to church, and 
heard Dr. Gazeton preach. He has just returned from the 
South. The Doctor is (or was) a New School Presbyterian 
of some reputation in Tennessee before the rebellion. He 
is a bitter rebel, but, of course, did not give any manifesta- 
tion of it in his services. There was a strong New School 
Church here before the war, but they were all rebels; the 
church building almost ruined by the armies, and its mem- 
bers very much scattered. 

"At five we had preaching by our chaplain, a Baptist 
brother from Spencer County, a good man but a very poor 
preacher, an old farmer and Ignorant; is worse than the 
chaplains of my other two regiments. I shall go out of the 
war, I fear, with a poor opinion of chaplains from personal 



i68 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

experience. Although our chaplain's sermon was a poor 
affair, the men were attentive and respectful. Altogether the 
day was very creditably passed by the One Hundred and 
Thirty-sixth Indiana. But how much more pleasantly and 
profitably It would have been spent by me at home, with my 
own family and in our own church." 

In a letter of June 15 I refer to the character of the regi- 
ment : — 

"We are getting along very pleasantly in camp; everything 
passes off quietly; the men are making a commendable de- 
gree of progress in the drill, and take to soldiering very read- 
ily. Thus far I have had no difficulty in controlling the men. 
I never saw a regiment more easily governed. This comes in 
part from its personnel. Being called upon for only one hun- 
dred days of service, many business and professional men, 
who could not well afford to give up their business entirely, 
can arrange to go into the army for so short a time; and as 
a result the lower officers and the men are many of them 
among our best citizens. Besides, the service is easy. We 
have none of the hard marches and exposures described by 
me in the campaigning of the Twenty-fifth and Sixty-fifth 
Indiana. As a private in one of the Evansville companies, 
was my younger brother James H., who left the senior class 
at the Indiana University before graduating to serve his 
country." 

This letter also relates an event which brings out the ter- 
rible consequences of war in dividing families, especially in 
the border State of Kentucky: — 



WITH THE HUNDRED DAYS MEN 169 

"I wrote you some time since that a brother of Major 
Hynes (of our One Hundred and Thirty-sixth) was in the 
rebel army and had been at home at Bardstown, Kentucky. 
Hynes received a letter this evening from his father telling 
him that his brother had been killed in trying to get back 
through our lines to the Southern army. He was shot in the 
woods and lay in the bushes two weeks before his father 
found the body." 

Referring to the rebel cavalry raids which were just then 
threatening Washington and Baltimore, I wrote: — 

"Even if Washington is burnt the rebels can't hold it, and 
it would be the means, I hope, of raising up the North to 
renewed efforts, and then there would be a good opportunity 
to remove the Capital to the West, where it ought to be. We 
have not suffered enough in the North yet to make the people 
see that there is to be no peace with the rebels except by their 
complete overthrow. Otherwise we are disgraced, ruined, for- 
ever destroyed as a nation. We must and will in the end put 
down this wicked rebellion. The ways of Providence are in- 
scrutable. 'God moves In a mysterious way His wonders to 
perform,' but He is a God of Justice and Right, and we will 
triumph in the end. Had I been an Infidel or a weak believer 
In the righteousness of God, long since I would have been 
discouraged, but I am not. Let us pray for our country, for 
the triumph of right, of truth, of freedom, and that God may 
in His wisdom hasten the end of this bloody war and the re- 
turn of peace; and that we may together live to enjoy our 
family and Christian privileges under it." 



170 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

On July i6 I report: — 

"General Van Cleve has been called temporarily to Tul- 
lahoma, which leaves me in command of the post and bri- 
gade here, including Fortress Rosecrans. The change will 
probably be only for a few days or a week. I would much 
rather be with the regiment, as I am interested in the drill and 
instruction of the regiment, and can spend the time pleas- 
antly with them. 

"I am now at headquarters of the post very comfortably 
situated; have a room for myself carpeted and well furnished. 
Captain Otis, General Van Cleve's adjutant-general, a very 
competent officer, is left here, and he has his wife with him. 
It looks quite homelike to sit down at a table with a lady to 
preside, and also to nurse the baby. It was reported that the 
rebels were crossing the Tennessee River yesterday at Clays- 
ville, Intending to make a raid on the railroad, but I hardly 
believe it." 

A bright side of the soldier's life is given in my letter of 
July 21 : — 

"We have no news of special importance. I don't have 
very much to do in my post command, am comfortably situ- 
ated In quarters, and have about enough business to keep the 
time from being dull. Captain Otis and his wife and I are 
the only members of our mess, and we have a very pleasant 
table. When General Rosecrans was in command here he 
established a large hospital garden, worked by the convales- 
cents In the hospitals. It Is now producing large quantities 
of vegetables, and our table Is very liberally supplied from 



WITH THE HUNDRED DAYS MEN 171 

It with green corn, tomatoes, beets, cucumbers, potatoes, 
squashes, etc. We also enjoy plenty of milk and butter, with 
Ice to cool them. The general left his servant here, and he has 
nothing to do but take care of my room, black my boots, and 
brush my clothes, etc. There are a number of officers' wives 
here, and we have frequent company in our parlor of these 
and occasionally of rebel ladies. So you see the hardships of 
the poor soldier's life at present being undergone by me are 
such as I may be able to endure with safety to my life!" 

In my letter of July 30, I report my return to the regi- 
ment : — 

"General Van Cleve arrived last night and I returned to 
the command of the regiment. I think it was needing my at- 
tention from appearances. In the two weeks I have been 
absent there has been only one battalion drill. Although 
this is Saturday afternoon and we are not accustomed to 
having drill that afternoon, yet I am going to give them bat- 
talion drill to make up for lost time. I want them to make a fine 
appearance when we return to Indiana. We are now drilling 
in the bayonet exercise, which Interests the men very much." 

A week later I write : — 

"We are having as usual a quiet Sabbath. My present 
term of service Is so very different from that which I have 
heretofore been used to. Before it was all activity, bustle, 
battles, pursuits or retreats. But now It Is all the quiet mo- 
notony of camp life, broken only by the routine of drill. 
Heretofore I seldom had a quiet Sunday. Now I can read my 
Bible and religious papers regularly, write to my dear one, 



172 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

and attend Church services. But with all these privileges 
there is no day in which I miss home so much." 

Taking advantage of our quiet camp life, I obtained leave 
to visit Knoxville, where I had spent so many pleasant days 
the year before. My letter of the 13th of August gives some 
account of that visit: — 

"Does it look natural to you to see this letter dated from 
Knoxville? I left Murfreesboro day before yesterday, woke 
up in the morning and found myself across the Tennessee 
River and In the midst of the mountains. The scenery is 
quite romantic and attractive. I felt at once that I was in 
East Tennessee. There Is nothing in scenery like the moun- 
tains. In a little while we came In sight of Lookout Moun- 
tain, stretching far away with Its range into Georgia, and 
jutting up with its bold promontory Into the Tennessee River, 
and far above the mist of the river rose the spur so celebrated 
as Hooker's Battle of the Clouds. Soon we came into Chat- 
tanooga, bristling with its many battlements, and alive with 
the hurry and bustle of that great army depot. It Is astonish- 
ing to note what a vast machinery It requires In the rear to 
support and keep supplied a large army. 

"The run up to Knoxville was quite pleasant, where we 
arrived at half-past five In the evening. On my way up to 
the hotel I met an old Tennessee acquaintance who acted 
as a guide for me In my raids last autumn. He would listen 
to nothing but that I must be his guest, so I went around and 
stopped with him. I came down in town in the evening, and 
called on some of my old friends who showed much pleasure 



WITH THE HUNDRED DAYS MEN 173 

in seeing me again. To-day I have been busy in calling on 
other old friends, and took dinner to-day with Mrs. Locke, 
who was very glad to have me again at her house. I am to 
take supper with General Tillottson, commanding the post. 
I have found a number of the old Sixty-fifth and of my staff 
here on detailed duty. 

"They are organizing an expedition for a raid into upper 
East Tennessee, in my old route of campaigning, and, to be 
frank, I have been very much tempted to go up with them, 
as they are anxious to have me. But it would detain me be- 
yond my leave, and I might expect a scolding from my dear 
little wife. So I will leave in two or three days and return 
direct to Murfreesboro." 

As the term of enlistment of our regiment was drawing to 
a close, a movement was set on foot to have me continue in 
the service. The Union men of western Kentucky were very 
anxious to have me return to that district and drive out the 
guerrillas, who had been very troublesome after I had left 
that region. They had been in conference with my older 
brother George, who took a great pride in my military career 
and wac very ambitious for me. The plan was to have me 
made a brigadier general, and given a special command of 
western Kentucky. When this was made known to me I an- 
swered my brother George that if the command was tendered 
me without any effort on my part I might take it into consid- 
eration, but only on the express condition that my wife would 
consent to it. It is to this plan I refer in some of my letters 
to her. In the one of July 31 I say: — 



174 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

"The expiration of our term of enlistment is drawing near 
and a strong effort will be made to get our regiment to re- 
enlist for one, two, or three years. What do you say, — must 
I go in for it? They are also writing me from Kentucky urg- 
ing me to come back there and clear the guerrillas out of my 
old field of operations. I must confess the latter proposition is 
something of a temptation to me. I would like to spend three 
or four weeks there in chasing out the guerrillas, and then I 
really do believe I could come home and stay there in peace." 

On August 7 I write my wife : — 

"I had been back from the army just long enough with 
my wife and little darlings to appreciate how much I had 
missed during the three years gone, and I do believe when 
I get home this time I shall be able to conclude that I have 
discharged my duty to my country and done my share of the 
fighting, and that I have also a duty to discharge to my 
family, which I have sadly neglected for the three years past; 
and I hope that for the rest of my life I shall devote myself 
to them. Major Hynes was saying to me the other day that 
you had acted so nobly during my absence he thought I owed 
it to you and my children when I was out of the service this 
time to stay at home. But I take so much interest in the war 
and am so thoroughly satisfied with the correctness of the 
principles for which It Is being prosecuted, that I must con- 
fess I do not like to leave the army, when all of our experi- 
enced officers and men are so badly needed, but I hope I will 
be able to see my duty clear to stay at home. I trust my in- 
fluence and efforts there will not be entirely useless." 



WITH THE HUNDRED DAYS MEN 175 

I wrote fully to my wife of the plans of my Kentucky 
friends and my brother, and from my letters it appears they 
met with her decided disapproval. On August 20 I wrote: 
*'I was sorry on my return from Knoxville and read your 
letters and saw how you felt about my going into the service 
again, that I had written George on the subject." And again 
I wrote: "I was sorry to know from your letter that my letter 
in which I had said something about reentering the service 
had given you any pain or solicitude, as I did not design that 
it should do so. I never yet have entered the service or left 
home except with your consent or approval, and I will not 
do it in the future. As I have written heretofore, I think I 
have served my country long enough to serve my family 
awhile; and I hope nothing will occur to prevent my early 
return to my home." 

Some fear was entertained that the efforts of the Confed- 
erate cavalry to break up the railroad connections would 
detain our regiment in Tennessee beyond the term of enlist- 
ment, but no such untoward event occurred. The One Hun- 
dred and Thirty-sixth left Murfreesboro on August 25 under 
my command, passed through Louisville the next day, and 
the day following took the cars at New Albany for Indian- 
apolis. The citizens of Bloomington, the seat of Indiana 
University where the "Foster boys" had received their ed- 
ucation, having notice that the regiment would pass their 
town about noon, entertained them with a hurried but 
sumptuous dinner. We found a warm supper awaiting us 
and were comfortably quartered at Indianapolis in barracks, 



176 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

where we spent one week waiting to be paid off and mus- 
tered out of the service. During this time we took part in a 
review by Governor Morton of six thousand troops gathered 
at the Capital of the State, and in this and our regimental 
parades we were enabled with much pride to exhibit our 
accomplishments in soldiery. 



In the introduction to the compilation of these letters I de- 
scribed myself In entering the service as a peace man, as hav- 
ing no desire for military glory, having no special fitness for 
the life of a soldier, and entertaining a horror of war. The 
reader of these letters must have noted the gradual develop- 
ment of a taste for or satisfaction with the service. Even at 
the outset In Missouri, In describing in glowing colors the ex- 
posure to the climate and the hard marching, I manifest a 
certain enthusiasm for my success as a wagon-master, or for 
my prospective work of an architect of the log-hut winter 
quarters. I early mastered the tactics, army regulations, and 
camp regime, and often wrote of my interest In the drill and 
regimental and brigade exercises. I refer to the gallant charges 
of our regiment and brigade at Donelson, and speak of some 
parts of the bloody battle of Shiloh as "grand beyond de- 
scription." I hardly had words sufficient to describe the de- 
liverance by our army of the Union citizens of East Tennessee. 
My intercourse with my comrades, superior and Inferior 
officers and men, is noticed as In all respects agreeable. 
When I entered the army I was not robust, having too long 
led a student and office life, but during my entire service I 
enjoyed almost uninterrupted good health, the letters con- 
stantly speaking of how the outdoor life and the most active 
campaigning best agreed with me. So that it has been seen 
that while at the end of three years of army service I was 



178 WAR STORIES FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN 

rejoiced to go back to my home, to my wife and little ones, 
an offer to reenter the army was quite a temptation to me. 

But my life in the army did not alter the views I had formed 
in my college life of the horror and futility of war, but rather 
strengthened and confirmed them. I witnessed the sad ef- 
fects of the conflict in dividing and embittering brothers of 
the same blood, the ravages of the battlefield and the hospi- 
tal, the valuable lives lost and the widows and orphans, the 
enormous expenditure of money, and the great war debt and 
pensions to be paid by a coming generation. All these evils 
might have been avoided by a peaceful adjustment of the 
questions which were settled by the armed conflict. The 
emancipation of the slaves by purchase would have been 
many times less than the cost of the war in money, without 
counting the saving of the lives lost, the widows and orphans, 
and the bitterness engendered. There Is a certain glamour 
about warfare which attracts the participant, but It is ficti- 
tious and unchristian. I pray God that our country may be 
delivered from its horrors In the future. 



THE END 




Copyright by Bass and Woodworth, Indianapolis 
SOLDIERS' MONUMENT, INDIANAPOLIS 



APPENDIX 

INDIANA SOLDIERS' MONUMENT 

Some years after the close of the Civil War the Legislature of 
Indiana determined to erect a monument at Indianapolis, 
"designed to glorify the heroic epoch of the Republic and to 
commemorate the valor and fortitude of Indiana's Soldiers and 
Sailors in the War of the Rebellion and other wars," 

The corner-stone of this monument was laid in 1887 with 
appropriate services, including an oration by President Ben- 
jamin Harrison. It was completed and dedicated in 1902. It 
stands upon a terrace 1 10 feet in diameter, with a foundation of 
69 by 53 feet, the height of the monument from the street level 
is 284 feet, and is crowned by a Victory statue of 38 feet. On 
subordinate pedestals occupying positions in the four segments 
are bronze statues of Governor Morton, Governor Whitcomb, 
General William Henry Harrison, and General George Rogers 
Clark. It is claimed to be the largest and most expensive sol- 
diers' monument in the United States, and one of the grandest 
achievements of architectural and sculptural art in the world. 

The dedication services on the completion of the monument 
were held on May 15, 1902, attended by military and civic 
delegations from all parts of the State, parades, salutes, dedica- 
tion exercises, and Illuminations, occupying the entire day and 
evening. The dedication address follows. 

Address of John W. Foster, delivered at the 

Dedication of Soldiers' Monument, at Indianapolis 

May 15, 1902 

Mr. Chairman, Governor Durbin, Comrades and Fellow Citizens: 

We are gathered to-day inspired by mingled feelings of joy 

and sadness, of pride and sorrow. To the generation who have 

come upon the stage of public life since the scenes were en- 



i82 APPENDIX 

acted which are glorified in this noble monument, it may well 
be an occasion of exultation, for they see only the blessings con- 
ferred upon the State and Nation by the deeds of the heroic 
dead whose memory we are assembled to honor. But to those of 
us who were their comrades in service, there arises the sad rec- 
ollection of the carnage of battle and the wasting experience of 
the hospital. While the stirring notes of martial music, the 
booming of cannon, and the waving of flags awaken the en- 
thusiasm and the patriotic pride of the people, there are many 
mothers and widows to whom this brilliant scene is but the re- 
opening of the fountain not yet dried up by twoscore years of 
weeping. 

It is for no idle purpose I recall the solemn phase of the pag- 
eantry of these dedication exercises, for it cannot fail to impress 
more deeply upon us the debt we owe to the men for whom this 
magnificent memorial has been raised. 

It commemorates the sacrifice of twenty-five thousand men 
— Indiana's contribution to the cause of the Union, A fearful 
price this Nation paid for its life. A veritable army is this, 
larger than any gathered under Washington or Scott. In those 
dark days, when our comrades were pouring out their life's 
blood on a hundred battlefields, when new calls were made for 
more men to fill the depleted ranks, when the scales hung 
trembling between success and failure, it seemed sometimes 
as if the State could not endure the fearful slaughter. But the 
triumph of the right came at last. And time has healed the scars 
of war. We can now look back upon the scene as one only of 
heroic deeds. 

It was highly appropriate that on the apex of this shaft there 
should be placed the emblem of Victory. Never in the history 
of human warfare has there been a triumph more significant 
of blessing to mankind. The Goddess of Victory crowns this 
monument, but it Is not in exultation over a fallen foe. I thank 
God that in the dedication services to-day there is no feeling of 
bitterness toward the men who fought against our dead com- 
rades. We rejoice to know that they are loyal citizens with us 
of a common country. We must not, however, belittle the sacri- 
fice of our honored dead. Right, humanity, and progress were 



APPENDIX 183 

on the side of the Union armies, and it was chiefly for this rea- 
son we have reared this noble pile of bronze and marble. 

What the victory they gained signifies to this Nation, to this 
continent, and to all peoples, has been so often, so exhaustively, 
and so eloquently told, that I hesitate to even allude to it. But 
my observation in foreign lands has so forcibly impressed on me 
one of the inestimable blessings which has been secured to us 
and to future generations by the triumph of the Union arms, 
that I deem this a fi.tting occasion to call it to mind. 

Scarcely second in importance to the maintenance of repub- 
lican government in its purity and vigor and the extirpation of 
slavery, are the reign of peace and deliverance from standing 
armies, which the unbroken Union guarantees to us and to our 
children. It requires no vivid imagination to conceive of some 
of the results which would have followed a division of the 
states — a frontier lined with fortifications, bristling with can- 
non and garrisoned by a hostile soldiery; conscription and taxa- 
tion such as had never been known before; constant alarms of 
war; and political and international complications which would 
have put an end to our boasted American policy and Monroe 
Doctrine. 

One of the things which most attracts the attention of foreign- 
ers who visit our shores is the absence of soldiers about our 
public buildings, in our cities, and along the thoroughfares of 
commerce. And those who have never seen our country can 
scarcely realize that it is possible to carry on a government of 
order and stability without a constant show of military force. 
In all the nations of Europe it has been for so many genera- 
tions the continlious practice to maintain standing armies, that 
it is considered a necessary and normal part of the system of 
political organizations. The existence of rival and neighboring 
nations, constantly on the alert to protect themselves from 
encroachment on their territory and to maintain their own 
integrity, and the recent advances in military science and war- 
like equipment, have caused a great increase in the armies, 
enormously enlarged the expenditures, and compelled a rigorous 
enforcement of the most exacting and burdensome term of serv- 
ice; until to-day, in this high noon of Christian civilization, 



i84 APPENDIX 

Europe is one vast military camp, and, with such tension in 
the international relations, that the slightest incident may set 
its armies in battle array — the merest spark light the fires of 
war and envelop the continent, if not the whole world, in the 
conflagration. 

Germany and France maintain an army on a peace footing 
of about a half-million of men each, Russia of three quarters 
of a million, and other Continental powers armies of relatively 
large proportions. The term of military service required in 
each is from three to four years. To support these enormous 
burdens the nations of Europe have imposed upon their inhab- 
itants the most oppressive taxation, and, besides, have multi- 
plied their public debts to the utmost extent of their national 
credit. But great as these exactions are, they are as nothing 
compared to the heavy demands made for the personal mili- 
tary service of the people. To take from the best energies of 
every young man's life from three to four years, just at the time 
when he is ready to lay the foundations of his career and es- 
tablish his domestic relations, is a tax which can scarcely be 
estimated in money value, and is a burden upon the inhab- 
itants so heavy and so irritating that they stagger under its 
weight and would rebel against it, did they dare resist the iron 
tyranny of military rule. 

Thanks to the soldiers who fought triumphantly for the 
maintenance of our Union of States, and that there might con- 
tinue to be one great and supreme nation on this continent, we 
are released from this curse of a large standing army, we are 
free from its burdensome taxation and debt, our young men are 
permitted to devote the flower of their lives to useful indus- 
try and domestic enjoyment, and our free institutions are not 
menaced by military oppression. To conquer a peace such as 
the world has not heretofore seen, and to secure a reign of pros- 
perity and plenty which no other people of the present or the 
past has enjoyed, did the men of Indiana fight and die. 

We are here to honor the soldier and the sailor; but it is well 
to recall that ours is not a warlike people, and I pray God they 
never may be. An event which greatly attracted the attention 
of Europe was that when our Civil War was over the vast armies 



APPENDIX 185 

of near two millions of men quietly laid down their arms and, 
without outlawry or marauding, retired to their homes to renew 
their peaceful avocations. They had not become professional 
soldiers. They were citizens of a great republic, and felt their 
responsibilities as such. 

In all, our foreign wars have occupied less than five years in 
a period of one hundred and twenty of our independence. Our 
greatest achievements as a nation have been in the domain of 
peace. The one aggressive war in which we have been engaged 
was that with Mexico, and it was the unrighteous cause of 
slavery which led us to depart from the line of justice in that 
instance. It is to be hoped that no evil influence or ambition 
will ever again lead us into acts of unjustifiable aggression. In 
the Spanish War, I think I speak the sentiment of the great 
majority of my countrymen when I say, it was a feeling of 
humanity which occasioned that conflict. It brought with it 
results which we could not anticipate and which many of our 
people lament. It has led to the expulsion of Spain and its bad 
system of government from this hemisphere, certainly not an 
untoward event. If it was a desire to benefit our fellow men 
that led us into that contest, I feel sure the same spirit will 
control our conduct toward the millions of people on the other 
side of the globe whom the fortunes of war have so unexpectedly 
brought into our dominion. 

We are proud of the record which our country has made in 
the settlement of disputes with foreign nations by the peaceful 
method of arbitration. It is possible that all matters of differ- 
ence cannot be adjusted in that way, but it offers a remedy which 
commends itself to the lover of peace and good-will among men, 
and it is our boast that we have resorted to it more often than 
any other nation. 

It is not incumbent on me to give any account of this struc- 
ture, so perfect in art, so appropriate in design, embracing all 
arms of the military service on land and sea. I must, however, 
as a comrade of those whose fame it perpetuates, bear cheer- 
ful testimony to the generosity of a grateful people, who have 
reared this costly column. It is in keeping also with the mu- 
nificence of the Federal Government in all that relates to the 



i86 APPENDIX 

memory and the welfare of those who fought to secure the Union 
of these States. In the National Capital and throughout the 
land, in every city, and in almost every town, there are monu- 
ments to the Union soldiers, and the important battlefields have 
been turned into public parks consecrated to the Nation's dead. 

And no government has been so liberal in its provisions for 
the surviving veterans. Listen to a few eloquent figures. At 
the close of the War for the Union our national debt amounted 
to the stupendous sum of ^2,700,000,000. And yet there has 
been paid out of the National Treasury, since that date, for 
pensions an amount equal to that sum. Before the Spanish War 
the pension roll amounted to two fifths of the entire expenses 
of the Government, and it is even now, with the large increase 
of both the civil and military list, one fourth of the total. The 
payments on this account for the last year were about ^140,- 
000,000. There are now on the roll, nearly forty years after the 
war, 997,735 pensioners. Of the amount paid out, the pensioners 
from Indiana receive ^10,291,000 every year, and the Indian- 
ians on the list number 66,974. The two great martial nations 
of Europe are France and Germany, but their expenditures for 
military pensions are only one fifth and one sixth of ours. In 
addition to these unparalleled disbursements, vast sums have 
been expended for the establishment and maintenance of Sol- 
diers' Homes in various parts of the country. Surely the old 
soldier cannot charge his Government with ingratitude. 

This day constitutes the culmination of the history of In- 
diana. This imposing monument, peerless of its kind among 
the nations, the gift of a rich and prosperous Commonwealth, 
the testimonial of a grateful people to the men who gave their 
lives to save the Union and perpetuate free institutions, stands 
to-day, with the quaternion of soldiers and statesmen about it, 
a memorial of past achievement, an evidence of present accom- 
plishment in government, society, and industry, an assurance 
of future prosperity and happiness. It was a wise discernment 
of the memorable epochs In the history of the State which cause 
to be associated with this central monument the statues of the 
two soldiers and the two statesmen who adorn this artistic 
Circle. 



( 



APPENDIX 187 

Of all the soldiers who were famous in the War of the Revolu- 
tion, few have rendered more imperishable services to the coun- 
try than General George Rogers Clark. I have not the time to 
dwell upon his military career. You recall the repeated jour- 
neys he made across the mountains from his Kentucky home to 
implore the Revolutionary authorities to furnish him the means 
to save the great Northwest to the new nation. The story of 
his voyage down the Ohio with a mere handful of resolute pa- 
triots, his capture of Kaskaskia, his marvelous march in the 
dead of winter to the assault and capture of Vincennes, are 
among the most thrilling narratives of that heroic struggle; yet 
history has failed to give him due credit for his great achieve- 
ment. But for his expedition, it is safe to say that the North- 
west would have remained British territory, and Indiana 
would to-day be a crown colony or a Canadian province, rather 
than a free commonwealth of an independent people. Had the 
United States been confined in its territorial extent to the At- 
lantic seaboard, as our ally France wished it to be, the young 
republic might have survived as a shriveled and sickly nation 
under the guardianship of France; but the vast expansion to 
the Northwest, across the Mississippi, to the Pacific Coast, and 
to the Islands of the Orient never could have taken place. As 
we look upon that dashing figure, moulded in bronze, let us not 
forget the great debt we and all this Nation owe to the intrepid 
soldier who conquered the Northwest. 

The second period of the history of Indiana is fitly repre- 
sented by General William Henry Harrison, the territorial 
Governor and the defender of the frontier. He stands for the 
men who laid the foundations of our government and society, 
and freed the territory from the ruthless savage. 

In Governor Whitcomb we have a typical Indianian of the 
early period of statehood. A farmer's son, he had his share, as 
a boy and young man, of the privations of frontier life, the 
Herculean labor of clearing away the forests, and bringing the 
land under cultivation. At the same period of time Indiana was 
nurturing another young man in like experience and labors of 
frontier life — that matchless American, Abraham Lincoln. In 
this era of abounding prosperity and luxurious living, we are 



1 88 APPENDIX 

too apt to forget that they rest upon the toils and trials of our 
fathers. Whitcomb showed the stuff of which he was made by 
supporting himself at school and college by his own manual 
labor. He filled many public offices with usefulness and honor, 
and had the distinction of occupying the gubernatorial chair 
during the Mexican War, in which Indiana soldiers did their 
full share toward the victories which gained for us the wide 
domain stretching to the Pacific. 

For the fourth period of the history of Indiana, which records 
the contest for the preservation of the Union, there could be but 
one man whose statue should be a companion piece to this 
superb monument. No soldier, no citizen, no man high or low, 
could take rank in point of heroic service, of tireless labors, of 
commanding influence, of exposure to dangers, of courage, self- 
denial and suffering, with Oliver P. Morton. He was a man 
endowed with rare intellectuality, and made a high place for 
himself in the Nation as a statesman, but to the people of In- 
diana, and especially to the old soldiers, he will be remembered 
as the Great War Governor. 

It is fitting that the name of another son of Indiana should be 
mentioned on this occasion. His statue is not in this Circle, but 
will soon adorn another portion of this beautiful capital. When 
the corner-stone of this edifice was laid thirteen years ago he 
took part in the exercises, and, but for his untimely death, would 
doubtless have been called to occupy my place in this day's 
dedication. Benjamin Harrison has the distinction of being 
one of the first to inspire this great undertaking now so happily 
consummated. He himself was a gallant soldier and would have 
rejoiced to participate in this pageant. In every department of 
public and private life he did his work well, and we are proud 
to honor him as President and citizen. 

It is a pleasing service to thus recall the names of some of 
our public men. I heartily believe in State pride. I believe in 
local attachments. The associations which cluster about the 
home are the dearest and the best. If we as Indianians have 
not, in times past, been as conspicuous as some of our neighbors 
for our State pride, it was not because we loved Indiana less, 
but the Union more; and since we have forever settled the ques- 



APPENDIX 189 

tion of State rights, I see no reason why we should not on all 
proper occasions and with the vehemence of domestic loyalty 
exalt our State, and boast of its resources, its merits, and its 
memories. Among these there are none which constitute a 
nobler heritage or awaken more enthusiastic pride than the 
services and attainments of our public men. 

I have not dwelt at any length upon the wonderful prosper- 
ity which our country is now enjoying, as one of the direct re- 
sults of the preservation of the Union. We all rejoice in our 
present high and honorable position among the nations of the 
earth, and we may well look forward to a continuance of this 
era of peace and prosperity. But in the day of our exaltation we 
should remember that no people of the earth have proved to be 
indestructible as a nation. Every country may carry within 
itself the seeds of its own dissolution. We need not revert to the 
history of Rome, Greece, Egypt, or Assyria to learn of the de- 
cay and death of empires. The archaeologist tells us that in the 
territory covered by the State of Indiana there once existed, at 
a period so remote that no legend of them remained among the 
aborigines at the discovery by Columbus, a great and power- 
ful people who built populous cities, were possessed of a high 
grade of military science, were advanced in the arts, founded 
dynasties, had an educated priesthood, and were of a heroic 
frame. 

I have not time to moralize upon this, but I venture a few 
practical suggestions which may appeal to us as citizens of a 
great nation whose prosperity and happiness we desire may 
continue through all time. If we would realize this expectation 
we must have an honest government. Federal, State, and local. 
I have given the figures which show the enormous expenditures 
for pensions. It is common rumor that this sum has been 
swelled by perjury and fraud. Every faithful soldier who re- 
ceives a pension from the Government justly regards it as a 
badge of honor. He should watch with jealous care that no 
deserter, no skulker, no unworthy camp-follower, through the 
cunning of dishonest claim agents, should have the same badge 
of honor. So, also, bribery and corruption in our public and 
municipal bodies, may soon destroy the foundations of our 



I90 APPENDIX 

national life. All good citizens should denounce and combine to 
punish every attempt at corruption. 

As we should have an honest government, so we should have 
a pure government. I have spoken of State pride. More than 
once I have been made to blush when away from home to hear 
the charge that the elections in Indiana were sometimes cor- 
rupt. I trust I may entertain the hope that there is exaggera- 
tion in this, and that our errors of the past no longer exist. It 
is a sure sign of national decay in a republican government, 
when the fountain head of power, the ballot, becomes corrupt. 

While we must have an honest and pure government to in- 
sure the perpetuation of our institutions, we should also have 
an efficient government. And this I think can best be brought 
about by the universal application of the system of competi- 
tive civil service. I know that many an Indiana politician has 
mocked at it as the dream of the idealist, but it is the only demo- 
cratic method of filling the offices where all applicants stand 
upon a common level, and the only way of securing the best 
results In administration. 

I have entered upon a fruitful theme, but must not pursue It 
further. I have suggested three points which seem appropriate 
for our consideration to-day, when we are gathered to honor the 
soldiers who died that our country might live. We owe It to 
them to so act as citizens that they shall not have offered up 
their lives in vain. Let us cherish their memory, and In our day 
and generation do what we can to perpetuate for the people in 
the ages to come the blessings of free institutions among men. 
Should we thus prove true to our trust, this imposing memorial, 
so patriotic In design, and so perfect In execution, will stand in 
future years as a testimonial, not only to the fallen heroes of the 
war, but also to the faithful citizens, who handed down unim- 
paired their heritage of republican government to mankind. 



MILITARY SERVICE OF JOHN W. FOSTER 

War Department 
The Adjutant-General's Office 

Statement of the Military Service of 
John W. Foster 

Lieutenant-Colonel, Twenty-fifth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and 
Colonel, Sixty -fifth and One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Regiments, Indiana 
Volunteer Infantry 

The records show that John W. Foster was mustered into serv- 
ice August 19, 1 861, as major, Twenty-fifth Indiana Volunteer 
Infantry, to serve three years. He was subsequently commis- 
sioned lieutenant-colonel of the regiment and is recognized by 
the War Department as having been in the military service of 
the United States as of that grade and organization from April 
30, 1862. He was mustered out of service as lieutenant-colonel 
to date August 24, 1862, to accept promotion. He was mustered 
into service as colonel, Sixty-fifth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, 
to date August 24, 1862, to serve three years. He was in com- 
mand of the District of Western Kentucky, Department of 
Ohio, with headquarters at Henderson, Kentucky, in October 
and November, 1862, and in March, April, and May, 1863, but 
the records do not show either the date on which he assumed 
command or the date on which he was relieved therefrom. From 
August 21, 1863, to September 5, 1863, and from September 7, 
1863, to October 18, 1863, he was in command of the Second 
Brigade, Fourth Division, Twenty-third Army Corps. The 
designation of the brigade was changed to the Fourth Brigade, 
same division, October 18, 1863, Colonel Foster remaining in 
command to November 3, 1863. This brigade was assigned to 
the Second Division, Cavalry Corps, Army of the Ohio, Novem- 
ber 3, 1863, and Colonel Foster commanded the Second Brigade 
of that division from November 3 to November — , 1863, and 
he commanded the Second Division, Cavalry Corps, Army of 



192 APPENDIX 

the Ohio, from November — , 1863, to January — , 1864, exact 
dates not shown. He was honorably discharged March 12, 1864, 
as colonel, upon tender of resignation. 

The records further show that John W. Foster was mustered 
into service as colonel, One Hundred Thirty-sixth Indiana 
Volunteer Infantry, May 23, 1864, to serve one hundred days, 
and that he was mustered out of service with the regiment as 
colonel September 2, 1864, at Indianapolis, Indiana. 

In the operations February 12-16, 1862, resulting in the 
capture of Fort Donelson, Tennessee, Major Foster was com- 
mended by his brigade cpmmander for "the fearless and ener- 
getic manner" in which he discharged his duties. His conduct 
was said to be "worthy of the highest commendation."^ 

At the battle of Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee, April 6-7, 
1862, the command of his regiment devolved upon Major 
Foster on the first day. The brigade commander, in his official 
report of that battle, stated with reference to Major Foster as 
follows: "The command devolved on Major Foster, who proved 
himself every way worthy of it. He was active, brave, and ener- 
getic, Inspiring his men with courage and confidence. His worthy 
example was felt by all around him." 

Ofl^cial statement furnished to Hon. John W. Foster, 1323 
Eighteenth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C., October 13, 191 5- 
By authority of the Secretary of War: 

P. C. Marth 

Adjutant-General 
In charge of office 



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